Listed Building record MDO10770 - The Manor House, Toller Whelme, Corscombe

The Manor House consists of a much altered c15th century rear range, a 17th century front range and an 18th century extension at the rear. Built of rubble-stone walls, the rear range has asbestos slate roofs, and the front range a thatch roof with stone gable-copings.

The manor was the property of Ford Abbey from an early period after its foundation until the Dissolution. In an inquisition of 4.Hen IV. it is said that the abbey was given lands here to found a chapel in the place. The chapel was built, and service performed there, but fell afterwards into decay. In 36 Hen. VIII the manor was granted to Wm. Paulet, leased and later purchased by the Penne family. There are extensive traces of early architecture in the manor house and outbuildings, probably part of the abbey grange. A building at the back is traditionally said to have been a chapel. <1>

Toller Whelme Manor House is mainly of two-storeys with rubble walls and roofs of thatch and slates.
The N.W. wing c.1470 apparently formed the original house. In the 17thc a house was built to the S.E., and extended to the N in the 18thc. "A modern addition connects the two buildings, and quite recently the greater part of the upper storey of the original wing has been removed, and the remains roofed with corrugated iron."
The original wing retains some of its windows and interior fittings. The 17thc building also retains some stone mullioned windows. <3>

The house belongs to Mr Childs, Greenways, Shipton Gorge, Dorset. It has been divided into two. The Western half is called Manor Farm and the Eastern half Middle Farm. I know nothing about the chapel (a) [Information as in (a) and] The chapel was situated at A and was part of the North wing of the house (b). Mr Childs has been requested by letter to supply the name to be applied to OS plans. The description in Auth 3 is full and correct. The North wing is in a dilapidated state and has a large rounded ashlar window in its Eastern face. This presumably has been named the chapel. There are no obvious traces of modernisation. <4>

Correct name: WEST FARM. <5>

No change. <6>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 92-3 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

[ST 51700151] Toller Whelme Farm formerly Manor House [NR] Chapel [NR (rems of)

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 107 (Monograph). SDO97.

<4> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 19-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<4.1> Kingston, Mrs, Oral: Mrs Kingston (tenant), Manor Farm, Toller Whelme, Corscombe (Verbal communication). SDO18822.

<4.2> Mr Walbridge, Oral: Mr Walbridge (tenant), Middle Farm, Toller Whelme, Corscombe (Verbal communication). SDO18823.

<5> Field Investigators Comments FC, F2 FC 24-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SWX3544.

<5.1> Childs, W, Letter from W Childs (Verbal communication). SDO18824.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 195924 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<6> McOmish, D S, Various, Field Investigators Comments DSM, F3 DSM 18-FEB-1987 (Unpublished document). SDO16333.

Record last edited

Nov 17 2022 4:10PM