Regency

Ashley Court is a country house just outside Tiverton, dating mainly from the early 1800s, officially of historical value.

Verandahs apparently quite uncommon in Devon

The owners are working to restore it, apparently as a full-time occupation (rather the opposite of downsizing).  The early owners made their money from colonial ventures; at one point I think it had about 10 servants for two people.  A large array of bells in the servant area, each with a different tone signalling the originating bell-pull.

At least they're doing a great job of keeping the wisteria from the roof

But most of what I found interesting was outside.  Some pleasant garden settings; a range of outbuildings and rooms partway between decay and restoration; loads of well-established trees, from the two magnificent Ash to the once-fashionable Monkey Puzzle, the Cork Oak, and the Copper Beech...

walled garden

...a walled garden: four stone walls create a micro-climate, keeping the temperature inside several degrees warmer than the surrounding area...

espaliered pear: trained horizontally

...and allowing for some more exotic plants, such as this long-established espaliered pear tree.

this is just one yew tree, very mature

Two magnificent yews stand guardian at the entrance to the walled garden.

the temporary horse sculpture

This sculpture is being minded for the artist, who didn't have anywhere else to put it.  It was going to be put out in a field, but it looks surprisingly good where it is, right outside the front.

the stable courtyard is actually fully cobbled - but overgrown

The stables currently have a thoroughbred horse that has been retired after an accident; a shetland pony to keep the horse company and, at the far right end, some chickens.

stable roof

So much work still to go, but with research, grants, volunteer work from academics and students, and vision, the results will be impressive.



Coda: a most peculiar piece of china that came with the house: what appears to be a colonialist gravy boat with a Chinese policeman pulling a stereotypical Chinaman by the pigtail.  I've never seen the likes of it, and I had to go back and take a picture.

a very imperialistic stereotype

...the policeman is also putting the boot in