Hembury Fort House

Hembury Fort House is a gentleman’s villa, now used as a retirement home, dating back to the early 19th century. It may incorporate an 18th-century core, with alterations made in the 20th century including replacement windows. The house is rendered, with the central block whitewashed, and has a slate roof hidden behind parapets, along with rendered stacks. The layout is approximately L-shaped. The south-facing main block may have an 18th-century central portion, with projecting bays topped with pediments to the left and right, and a rear right wing.

The main entrance, positioned centrally at the front, leads into a large, heated entrance hall. A principal staircase is located to the rear left, while a separate service staircase is situated within the service wing on the rear right. The main block is three stories high. The south front has a symmetrical arrangement of windows, with a 1:3:1 layout. The central three bays feature two platbands and a moulded cornice below the parapet, while the outer bays project with pediments. A Greek Doric portico, likely dating to around 1830, stands prominently in the center; it has paired columns, a triglyph frieze, and a moulded cornice. The portico has been filled in with a round-headed door with two panelled leaves. Either side of the portico are 19th-century French windows with small panes and prominent architraves. The pedimented sections each have large early 19th-century French windows with fanlights incorporating spoke glazing bars and glazed flanking panels. Most of the windows have been replaced with plastic, though they are likely set within their original window openings. It is believed that the central three bays originally had 3/6 pane sashes on the second floor and 12-pane sashes on the first floor, while the outer bays likely had tripartite first-floor sashes and 3/3 pane second-floor sashes. The west return is four bays, with an additional bay to the return of the pedimented projection. The right return and rear elevation retain some original timber windows, although many have also been replaced with plastic.

Inside, a good early 19th-century cantilevered staircase features stick balusters and a ramped, wreathed handrail. Other decorative features, such as plasterwork, may also survive. Historical records indicate that the original 18th-century sections of the house were constructed of brick. It was purchased around 1750 by Vice Admiral Graves, who subsequently repaired and enlarged it, originally naming it "Cockenhayes."