Pickwell, Devon Explained

Country:England
Static Image Name:Pickwell Devon.jpg
Static Image Caption:A view of Pickwell
Coordinates:51.1469°N -4.2067°W
Official Name:Pickwell
Civil Parish:Georgeham
Shire District:North Devon
Shire County:Devon
Region:South West England
Constituency Westminster:North Devon
Post Town:BRAUNTON
Postcode District:EX33
Postcode Area:EX
Dial Code:01271
Os Grid Reference:SS457409

Pickwell is a small settlement with a converted manor house in the civil parish of Georgeham, in the North Devon district, in the county of Devon, England.

Pickwell lies between the village of Georgeham and the coast above Woolacombe and Putsborough beach, close to the South West Coast Path. It gives its name to the Pickwell Down Sandstones Formation which are red and brown sandstones with shales which extend from the hills of Pickwell Down and Woolacombe Down overlooking Morte Bay east-southeastwards to Muddiford and Bratton Fleming.[1] [2]

History

Pickwell was known as pediccheswella in the Domesday Book.[3]

The manor was owned by John Harris who was the member of parliament for Barnstaple in the mid 19th century.[4]

During the Victorian era Pickwell was owned by the Hole family who paid for much of the restoration of St George's church in Georgeham. The church contains a "Pickwell chapel" which dates from 1762 and is separated from the body of the church by an ornate screen.[5]

Manor house

The manor house still contains some of the structure which built in the late medieval period, however it was largely rebuilt between 1902 and 1905 for Sir Montague Style of the Style baronets. It is a Grade II listed building.[6]

The main range of the house, which is in a Jacobean style, is L-shaped and consists of two storeys. The central gable has an oculus. To the rear of the range is a 15th-century doorway with a moulded surround. In the grounds is a folly built to resemble a chapel.[6]

The manor house has now been converted into self-catering holiday apartments and a wedding venue.[7] [8] [9] Several of the surrounding farm buildings are also available for rent.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pickwell Down Sandstones Formation. British Geological Survey. 13 August 2016.
  2. Brown. Anthony. Bennett. Jenny. Rhodes. Edward. Roman mining on Exmoor: a geomorphological approach at Anstey's Combe, Dulverton. Environmental Archaeology. 2009. 14. 1. 50–61. 10.1179/174963109X400673. 10.1.1.506.1731.
  3. Web site: Georgeham Medieval Manor House. Explore the North Devon Coast. 13 August 2016.
  4. Web site: HARRIS, John (1703-68), of Pickwell Manor, nr. Barnstaple, Devon, and Wrotham, Kent.. The History of Parliament. The History of Parliament Trust. 13 August 2016.
  5. Web site: Georgeham (St Georges). Explore the North Devon Coast. 13 August 2016.
  6. Web site: Pickwell Manor including front garden walls and features and retaining wall with outbuilding to rear.. National Heritage List for England. Historic England. 13 August 2016.
  7. Web site: Pickwell Manor. Pickwell Manor. 13 August 2016.
  8. News: Bennett. Suzy. Pickwell Manor, Devon: review. 13 August 2016. Telegraph. 9 March 2016.
  9. News: Williams. Holly. Pickwell Manor, Devon: Stay the night. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/hotels/pickwell-manor-devon-stay-the-night-9898473.html . 26 May 2022 . subscription . live. 13 August 2016. Independent. 2 December 2014.
  10. Web site: Pickwell Barton Cottages. Pickwell Barton Cottages. 13 August 2016.
  11. Web site: Pickwell Manor Farm Holiday Cottages. Pickwell Manor Farm Holiday Cottages. 13 August 2016.