Bicton House, Devon
Encyclopedia
Bicton House is a late 18th or early 19th century country house, which stands on the campus of Bicton College
, Bicton
, near Exmouth
, East Devon
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The Manor of Bicton was granted by King Henry I
to Henry Janitor, Keeper of Exeter Castle
. In 1229 it was owned by Alabaster. It was purchased in the 16th century by Sir Robert Denys who built a new manor house and created a deer park on the estate.
The estate passed to the Rolle family early in the 17th century when Denys's heir , his granddaughter Anne, married Sir Henry Rolle of Stevenstone, Devon. (See Baron Rolle
). In about 1800 John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle
replaced the old manor house
with a new two storey mansion,( the present house), designed by architect James Wyatt
and built in red brick and limestone. The house was greatly extended , including the addition of a third storey to the main block, in 1898.
On his death in 1842 the Stevenstone and Bicton estates, amounting to some 55000 acres (222.6 km²), fell to Hon Mark GK Trefusis, ( then aged 6), the nephew of his second wife, and second son of the 19th Baron Clinton
.
In 1947 the 21st Baron Clinton leased (and later in 1957 sold) the hall and part of the grounds to Devon County Council
for the creation of Bicton Farm Institute, which later became Bicton College.
During the second world war it housed Saint Ronan's School which is now based in Hawkhurst
.
Bicton College
Bicton College is a college with around 1,000 full-time and 3,500 part-time pupils, located near Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England. The college specialises in agriculture and currently offers courses in such topics as animal care, countyside management, horticulture, outdoor leisure, veterinary...
, Bicton
Bicton, Devon
Bicton is a civil parish in the East Devon district of Devon, England, near the town of Budleigh Salterton. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 280. The parish includes the village of Yettington....
, near Exmouth
Exmouth
Exmouth is a town in Devon. It may also refer to:Places*Exmouth Peninsula in Southern Chile*Exmouth, Western AustraliaPeople*Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth , a British naval officerShips...
, East Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The Manor of Bicton was granted by King Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
to Henry Janitor, Keeper of Exeter Castle
Rougemont Castle
Rougemont Castle is the historic castle of Exeter.The castle was first built in 1068 to help William the Conqueror maintain control over the city. It is perched on an ancient volcanic plug, overlaying remains of the Roman city of Isca Dumnoniorum...
. In 1229 it was owned by Alabaster. It was purchased in the 16th century by Sir Robert Denys who built a new manor house and created a deer park on the estate.
The estate passed to the Rolle family early in the 17th century when Denys's heir , his granddaughter Anne, married Sir Henry Rolle of Stevenstone, Devon. (See Baron Rolle
Baron Rolle
Baron Rolle was a title that was created twice in the Peerage of Great Britain for members of the Rolle family. This family were established at Stevenstone in Devon in the 15th century. In the 17th century they acquired an additional extensive estate at Bicton when Sir Henry Rolle married the...
). In about 1800 John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle
John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle
John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle was a British peer who had served as a Member of Parliament in general support of William Pitt the Younger and was later an active member of the House of Lords...
replaced the old manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
with a new two storey mansion,( the present house), designed by architect James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Wyatt RA , was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the neoclassical style, who far outdid Adam in his work in the neo-Gothic style.-Early classical career:...
and built in red brick and limestone. The house was greatly extended , including the addition of a third storey to the main block, in 1898.
On his death in 1842 the Stevenstone and Bicton estates, amounting to some 55000 acres (222.6 km²), fell to Hon Mark GK Trefusis, ( then aged 6), the nephew of his second wife, and second son of the 19th Baron Clinton
Baron Clinton
Baron Clinton is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1298 for John de Clinton. The peerage was created by writ, which means that it can descend through both male and female lines. The first Baron's great-great-great-grandson, the fifth Baron, fought on the Yorkist side in the Wars...
.
In 1947 the 21st Baron Clinton leased (and later in 1957 sold) the hall and part of the grounds to Devon County Council
Devon County Council
Devon County Council is the county council administering the English county of Devon. Based in the city of Exeter, the council covers the non-metropolitan county area of Devon...
for the creation of Bicton Farm Institute, which later became Bicton College.
During the second world war it housed Saint Ronan's School which is now based in Hawkhurst
Hawkhurst
Hawkhurst is a village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. The parish lies to the south-east of Tunbridge Wells. Hawkhurst itself is virtually two villages...
.