Lower Blagdon Manor

 

Lower Blagdon Manor dates back to 1740. The adjoining barns are significantly older than the house,  recorded as being occupied since 1567. The central section of the barns is the oldest part of the property and partly constructed from cob. The main house was built in 1815 with a plaque on the east facing gable end. 

 

The same family, the Mudge Family had continuously occupied the property between 1567 until the death of Isabel  Mudge in 1996.  Isabel Mudge was married to Major Hugh Dixon, who was a Naval Officer on HMS Hood. Mr Dixon had a rather unusual hobby and  built the traction engine shed at the bottom of the drive to house his traction engine, "The Centurian".

The family still have a seat at our local church in Collaton St Mary. 

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The deer park wall that surrounds the property pre-dates the house by about 50 years and was used by the old Duke of Somerset in conjunction with the Deer Park at Berry Pomeroy Castle. The stone that built the wall was quarried very nearby from a quarry to the south of the house. 

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The Pound House was converted from its original use as a cider press in 1996. The field opposite used to be an orchard that served the Pound House. The apples won prizes at the Paignton and District Horticultural Association in the 1920's.

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The Orchards are now paddocks and home to our Alpacas; Edna, Mia, Midas and Caramella, our pigs; Polly and Sibel and Gordon the Goat. 

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The stable sand stable yard were a Victorian addition and there are inscriptions on the wooden stable doors of the names of the horse, ponies and chickens kept in the stables and chicken shed dating back to early 19th century. 

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There is abundant wildlife around the property. You may notice Buzzards soaring above the property with their characteristic mewing call. At night you may hear the Tawny owls calling. In the summer months swallows nest in our stables. The first swallows arrive in April and leave in September.