Palmer House Including Garden Wall

Palmer House, built in 1752, was commissioned by Mr (later Sir) John Palmer, the brother-in-law of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who frequently stayed at the property. It is also said that Dr Johnson visited. The front of the house is constructed of red brick and is three stories high with five windows, divided into three sections by brick Ionic pilasters that have stone bases and caps. An entablature with a pulvinate frieze extends between these pilasters, and a low-pitched slate roof is topped by a continuous eaves cornice that breaks forward over the pilasters. The sash windows have glazing bars, and the ground floor features rubbed brick flat arches with keystones. The doorway has a moulded architrave and a pediment resting on scroll consoles, and it leads to a six-panel door with fielded upper panels. The frontage is set back behind later cast iron railings. Tall brick return walls have piers with vases and parapets that curve upwards, meeting the front wall of the house. A wing was added to the back of the property in the late 18th century; it is slate-hung and supported by piers and arches, forming a loggia. This addition features a large three-light bow window. A walled garden is present, with piers and vases along its length. An octagonal gazebo, originally located at the northeast corner of the garden, has been reconstructed at Rosemoor Gardens in Great Torrington.

The front ground floor room, dating from 1752, boasts an enriched plaster ceiling bearing the Palmer arms and an Ionic mantelpiece. The staircase has an appealing design featuring slender turned balusters. A Venetian window with stained glass depicting the Palmer arms is located on the half landing.

Palmer House forms a group with numbers 6 to 10 (even) on New Street.