Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email
Blackborough B&B Accommodation
Hotel | Bed and Breakfast | Accommodation | Blackborough, Cullompton | Devon
Brambles Bed and Breakfast is 24 minutes (12.0 miles) via M5 from Blackborough, Cullompton in Devon.
About Blackborough:
Blackborough is a small, picturesque hamlet near Cullompton, Devon, set in the scenic Blackdown Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) known for its tranquil, rural setting with stunning views, historic properties like Blackborough House, and strong community feel, while offering convenient access to larger towns (Cullompton, Honiton) and transport links (M5, Tiverton Parkway station) for wider Devon exploration. Key Characteristics: Location: Mid Devon, near Kentisbeare, about 4.7 miles from Cullompton. Environment: Idyllic rural location within the Blackdown Hills AONB, featuring natural beauty, farms, and wildlife. Community: A close-knit village with a village hall, hosting activities and fostering a strong local spirit. Amenities: While rural, it's close to shops, pubs, and facilities in nearby Kentisbeare and the market town of Cullompton. Notable Features: Blackborough House: A large, historic mansion, once part of a former manor, known for its grandeur and planned restoration as an events venue. Historic Church: The former All Saints Church, built by the Earl of Egremont, was demolished in 1994 but marked the area's history. Local Farms & Gardens: Home to places like Hayne Farm, with beautiful grounds, orchards, and wildlife. Accessibility: Roads: Easy access to the A30 (for London/Exeter) and M5 motorway (for Bristol/Exeter). Rail: Tiverton Parkway station offers fast links to London Paddington.
History of Blackborough:
Blackborough, near Cullompton, is known for the grand, unfinished Italianate Blackborough House, built in 1838 by George Wyndham, 4th Earl of Egremont, originally intended as a palace but constructed as two linked homes for himself and a relative, later serving as a school, Quaker refuge, youth hostel, and scrapyard before recent restoration attempts that haven't fully succeeded. Historically, the manor dates back to the Domesday Book, and while the area is rich in history, its main landmark, Blackborough House, remains a significant, decaying architectural feature, with ongoing efforts to restore it. Blackborough House: The Centrepiece Builder & Design: Built by James T. Knowles for the 4th Earl of Egremont, it was designed as a grand palace but scaled down to two semi-detached residences, featuring Italianate loggias and distinctive "gunport" windows. Varied Uses: After the Earl, it housed a school, a religious institution for pacifists (Quakers), a youth hostel, and even a car scrapyard, reflecting its changing fortunes. Current Status: Still derelict but a Grade II listed building, it has seen multiple failed plans for restoration, with recent attempts to convert it into a hotel or luxury homes. Broader History Domesday Origins: The manor of Blackborough (Blacheberie) was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as a large holding of Norman magnate Baldwin the Sheriff. Connection to Kentisbeare: Blackborough is a hamlet within the parish of Kentisbeare, with historical links to the Wyndham family, who also built Kentisbeare House. Cullompton's Role: The nearby market town of Cullompton was historically a significant cloth town, with industries like milling, tanning, and lace-making, though today many residents commute. Key Takeaway Blackborough's history is largely defined by the ambitious, incomplete vision of Blackborough House, a building that has struggled for a definitive purpose for over a century, while the surrounding area maintains its rural charm and links to historic Devon estates.
Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email