Description

CHRISTOW
SX 88 SW
5/74 Canonteign House
.ll,ll.52
GV II
House, seat of the Exmouth family. 1828 by Charles Robert Ayers (c.1788-1845)
(Colvin) for Hon. Capt. P.B. Pellew HP (later 2nd Viscount Exmouth), and remodelled
internally with some external alterations by Forbes of Lincolns Inn (information from
owner) after an early C20 fire. Stuccoed, slate roof concealed behind parapet,
stuccoed chimney shafts with ornamental pots.
Plan: Rectangular on plan in the Greek Revival style with an orangery adjoining at
the west, north-east entrance elevation. The internal arrangement is early C20 : the
former central stair hall has been replaced by a 2-storey top-lit galleried ballroom.
Internal joinery, chimney-pieces and principal stair all early C20.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Symmetrical 7-bay entrance elevation with left and right
pilasters, cornice and parapet, the centre 3-bays broken forward and divided by
pilasters. C20 2-leaf glazed front door with glazing bars and an integral fanlight ;
C20 baroque door hood carried on moulded brackets 2 leaf outer glazed doors with
integral fanlights and floating cornices ; other ground floor windows with similar
fanlights below round-headed recesses decorated with laurel wreaths. First floor
windows with moulded architraves glazed with 2-light timber casements with glazing
bars. A stone plaque adjacent to the front door commemorates Admiral Lord Exmouth,
died 1833, with a verse. Symmetrical 5-bay garden elevation with parapet and cornice,
the centre 3 bays broken forward under a pediment with a giant applied order of lonic
columns ; left and right pilasters. Outer ground floor windows with floating
pediments, inner windows below round-headed recesses decorated with laurel wreaths
with integral fanlights as on entrance elevation. 7 bay rear elevation with parapet,
cornice and outer pilasters the centre 3 bays broken forward and divided by
pilasters, ; floating cornices to outer 2-leaf glazed doors, inner windows below
round-headed recesses decorated with laurel wreaths, integral fanlights. First floor
windows similar to other elevations. 5-bay orangery at right angles to rear
conversion to swimming pool in progress at time of survey (1987), the centre 3-bays
with 2-leaf glazed doors below round-headed recesses decorated with laurel wreaths ;
outer doors square-headed, all with integral fanlights. North west elevation, rather
altered with basement, additional attic storey and casement windows.
Interior: Early C20 fittings including 2-panel doors, chimney-pieces, gallery and
stair with turned balusters.
A particularly impressive south-east garden elevation overlooking the road.

Listing NGR: SX8353882864

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26618608

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings