These are the colour images taken by Sheila Lane with an iphone.
This visit was arranged for members and friends of the Royal Photographic Society.
DOUBLE CLICK ON THE FIRST IMAGE WHICH WILL ENLARGE THE SERIES
AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CLICK THROUGH TO SEE THE OTHERS
DOUBLE CLICK TO OPEN
These are my Black and White images.
The history of this once magnificent home belonging to the Bampfylde family has its beginnings back in Tudor times. As ownership of the home passed through generations of Bampfylde’s over the decades’ additions were made, parts were rebuilt and the house expanded.
The final addition to the structure of the house is recorded as being the construction of the Grand Ballroom. The house by this time was even more strikingly detailed in splendour.
This fine house has changed hands many times and despite elaborate plans to recreate something grand, the cost of renovation and meeting planning requirements the property awaits a new injection of capital and a viable plan to prosper.
https://www.exploringexeter.co.uk/poltimore-house-exeter/ is worth reading.
I've just been photo-bombed!!
Just a bit about the house as I witnessed it.
-
The house is set in just over 13 acres.
-
The first floor accommodation cannot be visited because it is in a perilous condition.
-
Poltimore House is owned by the Poltimore House Trust - a registered charity.
A timeline
1550 - 1921 A private home for the Bampfylde family.
1646 The Treaty of Exeter was signed at the house
1710 The present south front was built.
1831 The imperial staircase and porch added
1923 - 1939 Poltimore College for young ladies
1939 - 1945 Dover College evacuated here
1945 - 1962 Bought by local doctors to become Poltimore Hospital
1962 - 1975 Hospital becomes part of the NHS
1975 - 1986 Private nursing home
1987 Fire damaged the ballroom wing
1988 - 2000 House further declines due to theft and vandalism.
2005 Metal roof constructed as an umbrella to preserve the house.
The south wing damaged by fire in 1987
The staircase tower covered by a metal roof covering
I was relieved to see there was a good electricity system and a fire door.
Fortunately there are open fires in some rooms for cold winter days.
The decorations are layered one on top of another.
Some of the windows let in air and the garden!
There are corridors that take you around this wonderful house.
Where do they lead - goodness knows where I was - but there are two absurdities I came across and I share them with you here.
One is a Singer by herself in a room and the other a library.
and now the irony
The book collection in the library contains
-
Laura Ashley Home Decorating
-
Passion for Colour
-
Building your Home
and then Gazza - My Story!
Methinks there is a joker in amongst the rubble and decay.
Good luck to the custodians of this project . It is a magnificent Home crying out for an injection of capital and loads of TLC. There is something positive though - all the volunteers are immensely keen and enthusiastic, immersed in the restoration plans which appear from time to time.
I really enjoyed my visit and look forward to revisiting again in the near future.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing my photos and they encourage you to visit too.
Ken
© 2020 KEN WILKIE IMAGES created with Wix.com.
Want to do your own and need help? Adrian Beasley helped me. https://www.abeasley.org/