Shute Lawns

Downs, Moorland in Devon East Devon

England

Shute Lawns

Merrydown Camping, Old Taunton Road, Dalwood Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Shute Lawns is a picturesque village located in the county of Devon, England. Situated amidst the beautiful countryside, it offers a captivating blend of downs, moorland, and enchanting landscapes. The village is nestled in a valley, surrounded by rolling hills and meandering streams, creating an idyllic setting for residents and visitors alike.

The downs of Shute Lawns are characterized by their vast stretches of green fields dotted with grazing sheep and cattle. These open spaces provide a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ample opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area. The downs are also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, rabbits, and even the occasional deer.

Adjacent to the downs, the moorland of Shute Lawns adds an additional layer of charm to the village. With its rugged terrain and heather-covered hills, the moorland offers a sense of tranquility and solitude. It serves as a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The village itself is small and welcoming, with a tight-knit community that takes pride in its heritage and natural surroundings. Traditional stone cottages line the narrow streets, adding to the village's charm and character. Shute Lawns also boasts a historic church, dating back several centuries, which serves as a focal point for community gatherings and events.

Overall, Shute Lawns, Devon, is a hidden gem in the heart of the English countryside. With its downs, moorland, and warm community spirit, it offers a unique and delightful experience for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

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Shute Lawns Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.76953/-3.0556797 or Grid Reference SY2597. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Merrydown Camping, Old Taunton Road, Dalwood

Jo and Steve Turner

Shute Piers, Shute Road, Bakers Mead, Shute

Positioned alongside an old Roman and turnpike road the piers were presumably the gateway to the Shute Estate. Graffiti on the piers indicate a date of 1763. Sir John William de la Pole, 6th Baronet (1757 to 1799) (MP for the rotten borough of West Looe) in 1787 built the 'New Shute House'. The 5th Baronet died in 1760 so it is possible the piers are later than 1763. The east pier was damaged by a car in 2008 and repaired at a cost of about £34,000, the cost met by the insurance company. In March 2011 however another car crashed into it completely demolishing it. The pier was re-built around the end of the same year.

Jo and Steve Turner

Gatehouse of Old Shute House, Shute

Grade I Listed gatehouse and flanking pavilions of about 1570 or of possibly earlier 16th century origin. Probably aligned on the later parts of Old Shute House before they were demolished in 1785. The gatehouse was probably built by William Pole when he bought the Shute estate in about 1560. During repairs by the Landmark Trust in 1980, supported by a legacy from Gladys M Calthrop, a Jacobean plaster ceiling from a house in Barnstaple demolished in the 1930s was installed in an upper room. The National Trust (who lease the gatehouse to the Landmark Trust) closed the house to the public in 2021 for use 'solely as a holiday cottage', reportedly to recover huge losses caused by the coronavirus lockdowns. It was announced in October 2020 that the Landmark Trust’s Shute Gatehouse will receive £28,720 of capital funding from the government to help recovery from the coronavirus lockdowns.

Jo and Steve Turner

Nurse's Cottage, 1 Beagles Row, Shute

Grade II Listed terrace of 18th century cottages. Number one is the only one thatched and is a two storey 89.8 sq m three bedroom dwelling. See also SY2597 : Beagles Row, Shute.

Jo and Steve Turner

Beagles Row, Shute

Grade II Listed terrace of 18th century cottages. Number one is the only one thatched and is a two storey 89.8 sq m three bedroom dwelling. Number two is 158 sq m over two floors but only two bedroom. See Also SY2597 : Nurse's Cottage, 1 Beagles Row, Shute.

Jo and Steve Turner

War Memorial, Shute

Grade II Listed first world war memorial erected about 1920. Around 2016 a handrail was added to assist in climbing the steps.

Jo and Steve Turner

Lych Gate, St Michael's Church, Haddon Road, Shute

Jo and Steve Turner

St Michael's Church, Haddon Road, Shute

Grade II* Listed parish church. A 13th century cruciform plan with central tower was extended with the north aisle in 1811. Written records go back to 1205 but it is believed that there may have been a Saxon Church on this site. Some time after 1205 the Manor of Shute was created and given to Lucas de la Shute who built a Manor House and Church. In the 15th Century the South Transept was widened, and the Lady Chapel erected on the North side of the Chancel. The church was renovated in 1868 and a new vestry was built in 1869 at the end of the north transept. In 1967 the sanctuary was refashioned and the Lady Chapel refurnished. The chamber organ, originally a barrel-and -keyboard instrument, was built in 1800 for the new Shute House. There were three bells in the tower in 1553 which survived until January 7th 1760 when they were re-cast into 4 and a fifth added. Currently 4 of the 6 bells are 1761 by Thomas Bilbie and the remaining, 1864 by J Warner and 1923 by John Taylor & Co.

Jo and Steve Turner

Shute Community Primary School, Haddon Road, Shute

Jo and Steve Turner

Former Shute Arms, Shute Road, Seaton Junction

Built in 1898 opposite Seaton Junction Station it was originally a hotel with a public bar. Danny and Betty Brown owned it between 1982 and 1985 and in 1982 it burnt down and was rebuilt by them during 1983. Other landlords/owners were 1902 William Hayward Wilkins, 1910 Henry Thomas Weeks and 1914 and 1923 Harry Edward Hewes. A John Burgum also owned it for a time, possibly prior to the Browns. Planning was approved in March 2008 for conversion to five residential units after 3 previous applications had been refused.

Jo and Steve Turner

Former Station, Shute Road, Seaton Junction

The London and South Western Railway opened 'Colyton for Seaton' station on 19 July 1860. Architecture was standardised on a Gothic design produced by Sir William Tite. Whilst based on the same fundamental design, variation always existed between the station buildings. Extending from the building’s southern façade was an attractive flat-roofed canopy, 60-feet in length, supported upon four cast-iron stanchions. When the Seaton & Beer Railway opened in March 1868 the name was changed to 'Colyton Junction' and then 'Seaton Junction' on 18 July 1869. Starting in 1927 the station was substantially redesigned by Southern Railway with changes to platforms and canopies. Around this time on the up platform emerged the buildings of Express Dairies, which opened a milk processing plant beside the station, partly visible on the right of the photo. From 1955 the Southern Region started cosmetic refurbishment of the stations resulting in the main building being subjected to an all-over crème paint scheme. The branch line closed on 7th March 1966, the station ceasing to passenger traffic on the same date. Goods traffic ceased in the April but facilities were still maintained for Express Dairies until about 1973. All structures upon the down platform were removed but the platform left in situ. By April 1989, the crème finish of the main building had mostly gone but the main entrance doors had been restored. The British Railways Board (BRB (Residuary) Ltd.) sold the main buildings to a developer in November 2008 (probably the same one that bought the Shute Arms Hotel) and in Oct 2010 and again in May 2014 planning was approved for two dwellings.

Jo and Steve Turner