Mamhead (c.1840)

Cooke, G. A. A topographical and statistical description of the county of Devon. London: Sherwood & Co., c.1830. pp. 134-5. About two miles south-west from Kenton is Mamhead, formerly the seat of Wilmot Lord Lisburne, deserving particular notice, as one of the most beautiful and ornamental places in the county. The mansion was begun by Sir Peter Balle, an eminent loyalist, who died in 1680. […]The plantations at Mamhead are some of the finest in the county, and contain a great variety of fine trees: many were brought from the shores of the Mediterranean by Mr. Balle. These plantations extend to the summits of Haldown. […]In 1823 Mamhead was sold to B. W. Newman, esq., who at that time represented the city of Exeter in Parliament. Since Mr. Newman became possessed of this estate, he has accomplished various important improvements: a new mansion has been erected on a site very preferable to that on which the old manor-house stood. From a handsome terrace in front, the island of Portland may be seen, with the coasts of Devon and Dorset. The land view is also very fine. The nearer landscape is enchanting, commanding the richly-wooded park in which the church, from recent alteration, has become a highly picturesque object. There are four fronts to this edifice, each uniform in itself, but varying from each other: the terraces are spacious, and contribute to the fine effect of the whole. The chimnies [sic], between sixty and seventy, are all of stone, and of fifteen different forms; they are highly ornamental; these and the gables, with two square, and round towers, intersect the roof in so picturesque a manner, that the effect can hardly be paralleled, and reflects the highest credit on the designs of A. Salvin, esq., architect.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Steel l.engr

133x187mm