Culture Recovery Fund enables repairs to Devon Manor
— 22 Mar 2021
The South elevation before rethatching
The same elevation after the rethatching
Detail of the porch roof
Gable ridge detail
The Arvon Trust have been running writers' retreats for over 50 years. Their property at Totleigh Barton in Devon is a Grade II listed 16th Century thatched manor house. Formerly a farmhouse, the property lies in an idyllic corner of Devon bordered by the River Torridge and surrounded by gardens and orchards.
To continue successfully running writers’ retreats, there is a need to maintain the existing buildings to enable their continued use.
Jonathan Rhind Architects are delighted to have been able to help the Trust in their application to secure funding from the Culture Recovery Fund Grants Programme for works to the property. Having assessed what works would be possible under the scheme, Architect and Director Julian Clayton has advised Arvon Trust on the best use of the funds to enable essential maintenance works to go ahead.
As a result, the farmhouse has now been completely rethatched. The roof was rethatched in 'wheat reed' the traditional type of reed used in Devon by Master thatcher Tristan Johnson. The finished thatch has brought a marked improvement in the appearance of the farmhouse.
When the works are completed the house will be revitalised for many more years to come, and will be able to continue hosting courses on this enchanting site.
