Kirkham House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kirkham House
Northern aspect of Kirkham House
Location	Paignton, Devon
Governing body	English Heritage
Listed Building – Grade II*
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Kirkham House is a very old stone house located in Paignton, Devon, England. It was built a long, long time ago, possibly in the 1300s or 1400s! This special house is protected as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a really important historical place that needs to be preserved. It was given this special protection on March 13, 1951.

The Story of Kirkham House

We don't have old papers that tell us exactly who built Kirkham House or when. But its design suggests it's from the 14th or 15th century. Some people called it "The Priest's House." This name makes us think it might have been where a church official or a priest from the Kirkham Chantry lived. A chantry was a special chapel where prayers were said for someone's soul.

However, the house might also have been built for a rich local merchant. In 1960, a kind lady named Mrs. Ada Frances Jennings gave the house to the nation. She also left money to help fix it up. The stone and plaster walls have been carefully repaired. But many of the original oak beams and beautiful carvings can still be seen today. Inside, you'll find furniture and tapestries that look just like they would have in medieval times.

What Does It Look Like Inside?

Kirkham House is a single, narrow building with three main rooms. It is made from a type of rock called breccia and has a slate roof. On the ground floor, there is a parlour, which was a private sitting room. There is also a large hall with a high, arched ceiling. This hall would have been used for welcoming and entertaining guests.

Upstairs, on the first floor, you'll find a gallery. This is like a walkway overlooking the hall. There are also three bedchambers, which are bedrooms. The kitchen was not part of the main house. It was in a separate building outside, and today only a few ruined walls remain. Next to the house, there is also a small garden. You can also see an old cast-iron water pump outside where the kitchen used to be.

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  Exterior of Kirkham House, eastern aspect
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  Parlour of Kirkham House
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  Hall of Kirkham House
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  First floor bedchamber, named the Best Chamber

Come and Visit!

Kirkham House is looked after by English Heritage. This organization takes care of many important historical places in England. The house is open for people to visit at certain times of the year. If you want to find it, it's located off Cecil Road in Paignton. You can look it up on an Ordnance Survey map using the reference SX885610.

See also

• Oldway Mansion