The Convent

SX 87 SW OGWELL WEST OGWELL

2/20 The Convent

23.8.55 GV II

Convent, formerly mansion house. Built for Thomas Reynell in 1589. Considerably altered in 1751-3 for Thomas Taylor and again in 1790s for Pierce-Joseph Taylor. Remodelled early or mid C19 (possibly between 1832-6 for Thomas William Taylor). Rendered stone, the south and east fronts blocked-out. Slate roofs. Complex plan has 2 main parts: (1) U-shaped building of 2 storeys (possibly the 1589 house, now service wing). Doorway in centre with window above. Wings 3 windows deep on west and 4 (after C19 extension) on east, each wing 1 window wide. Windows have raised surrounds and (except at front of west wing) barred sashes. Fronts finished with raised band and parapet. In centre of roof a wooden bell-turret with shaped lead roof. Rear and west walls retain 5 wood mullioned and transomed windows of late C17 or early C18. Inside, chamfered ceiling-beams (in kitchen) and ovolo-moulded panelled doors. Re-set on lean-to at rear a stone plaque inscribed 1588 TR; (2) L-shaped building of 3 storeys (the main house) abutting the above on east. Similar south front, 7 windows wide, the windows reducing in height with each storey. A minority of sashes are C20 replacements. Inside, 3 ground-storey rooms with early or mid C19 enriched cornices and margin-bands of C-scrolls, one room with a large chandelier-boss of foliage. Stair turret in angle of the L has geometric stair of stone to second storey with slender moulded iron balusters (later replacements). Wooden treads to third storey with thin oblong-section iron balusters. In first 2 storeys turret has late C18 round-arched doorways with moulded imposts and archivolts, enriched with flowers and egg-and-dart. Second- storey landing an adjacent lobby have friezes of festoons and foliage. In former wing room (now sub-divided) a coloured marble chimney piece with pilasters and plaque carrying oval disc. At north-west corner of wing a large round turret, possibly an early feature. Not included in listing: Bethany wing (1954 and 1961), Chapel (1955) and Nazareth block (1966). Sources: R Polwhele, History of Devonshire, 1793, Vol.2, p133; Burke, Landed Gentry, 1838, Vol.4, p450; B Gibson, The Story of West Ogwell House, 1970

Listing NGR: SX8194070088