Kelly House, Devon
Encyclopedia
Kelly House is a grade I listed manor house
and estate located in the village of Kelly
, in Devon
, England
.
The estate has been the property of the Kelly family since approximately 1100. Parts of the original Medieval
manor house and great hall
are still standing, though they are obscured from view, as this part of the house was significantly remodelled in the Tudor architectural style
. In 1742 the west wing of the building was constructed in the Georgian architectural style
. The most recent north wing of Kelly House was built in 1877. During the twentieth century parts of the estate were sold off, and the house fell into disrepair.
Today, Kelly House continues to be inhabited by members of the Kelly family who own and use the estate as a private dwelling. Parts of the house are in the process being restored, with conservation experts and students from the University of Plymouth
assisting the works. These parts of the house are open to the public, constituting the "Work in Progress Museum". The museum shows practical displays of restoration and conservation techniques of historical buildings, as well as showing the exposed older architectural elements of the house that are normally covered from view.
In April 2010, Kelly House was the subject of a Channel 4
television documentary presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
as part of her Country House Rescue
series.
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...
and estate located in the village of Kelly
Kelly, Devon
Kelly is a small village in west Devon, England.The village church is largely Perpendicular of the 15th century but the chancel is earlier than the rest of the building, perhaps 14th century, and the south chancel aisle has windows of 1710 though in the Perpendicular style.Kelly House is mid 18th...
, in 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...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The estate has been the property of the Kelly family since approximately 1100. Parts of the original Medieval
Medieval architecture
Medieval architecture is a term used to represent various forms of architecture common in Medieval Europe.-Characteristics:-Religious architecture:...
manor house and great hall
Great hall
A great hall is the main room of a royal palace, nobleman's castle or a large manor house in the Middle Ages, and in the country houses of the 16th and early 17th centuries. At that time the word great simply meant big, and had not acquired its modern connotations of excellence...
are still standing, though they are obscured from view, as this part of the house was significantly remodelled in the Tudor architectural style
Tudor style architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
. In 1742 the west wing of the building was constructed in the Georgian architectural style
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
. The most recent north wing of Kelly House was built in 1877. During the twentieth century parts of the estate were sold off, and the house fell into disrepair.
Today, Kelly House continues to be inhabited by members of the Kelly family who own and use the estate as a private dwelling. Parts of the house are in the process being restored, with conservation experts and students from the University of Plymouth
University of Plymouth
Plymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...
assisting the works. These parts of the house are open to the public, constituting the "Work in Progress Museum". The museum shows practical displays of restoration and conservation techniques of historical buildings, as well as showing the exposed older architectural elements of the house that are normally covered from view.
In April 2010, Kelly House was the subject of a Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
television documentary presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson , is an English hotelier, broadcaster and food writer.-Early life and career:Born in London, Ruth Watson was educated in London and at Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire...
as part of her Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue is an observational documentary series which airs on British terrestrial television channel, Channel 4. The series has also aired on BBC Canada, ABC1 in Australia and Living in New Zealand....
series.