Bicton Manor

Bicton Manor is a manor house, now a private house, dating primarily to the 1660s and 1680s. It was probably built as an unfinished mansion for Daniel Elliot, and was subsequently extended in the late 18th century to the left gable end and rear. Further extensions occurred in 1850 to the right gable end, likely for Lord Ashburton. The construction is of rendered rubblestone and cob with the right-hand range rendered and featuring quoins. The left-hand part has a scantle slate roof with gable ends, the central range has a higher slate roof, and the 1850 extension has an even higher slate roof with a gable end to the left and three projecting gables to the front, progressively increasing in width to the right. A rendered brick stack stands on the left-hand gable end, while the left gable end of the central range features a rubblestone stack with slate strings, positioned at the front slope where the roof has been raised. Four diagonally set brick stacks are situated in the right-hand range. The plan has been altered with the left-hand side extended to the rear, creating a double-depth layout. The facade displays an asymmetrical 1:2:3 window arrangement. The ground floor has a late 19th-century 2-light casement on the left, and two late 19th-century 2-light casements in the centre. Above, there's a late 19th-century 3-light casement and two 2-light casements, all with glazing bars. The right-hand range includes a projecting gabled porch with a slate roof and double-panelled doors. A 4-centred arch displays a 17th-century coat of arms—featuring four 'fleur de lis' in chief and four annulets in base, on an orange field—reset into the gable end. Within a central projecting bay is a cross window with glazing bars, and adjacent to it, a similar window. A plat band runs above the ground floor. On the first floor, there are two double 8-pane sashes and one double 2 over 4-pane sash to the right. The right-hand side wall exhibits a canted bay window and a door with a 4-centred arch. The interior was not inspected. Historical records indicate that Daniel Elliot did not complete his new mansion, and in the 1870s, J. Polsue noted that the original entrance was retained, with thick walls featuring numerous Gothic doorways.