Docton House is understood to have been a Cistercian Monastery, part of the   Hartland Abbey Estate lands.  Travellers to Hartland Abbey could moor their ships in the muddy creek opposite (where Richmond Dock now stands), stay overnight here, and then make an onward journey to Hartland the next day.  Whilst the exact age of this building is uncertain, this does mean that it was in use in the 1400’s, and is therefore believed to be Appledore’s oldest surviving building.

 

History of the Building

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Docton Court Gallery

 

(Appledore’s oldest building)

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After the Dissolution of Hartland Abbey Monastery in 1538, the lands were bought by the DOCTON family of Hartland, and it is after them that the building is now named.  The DOCTONs converted it into a dwelling house, with commercial usage of the ground floor, and living accommodation above.  This first floor had a fine ceiling of decorative plaster moulding, which was largely removed in the early 20th Century.  The remaining moulding have now been restored and partly re-created by the current owners.

 

There is a plaque over the door which contains the coat-of arms of the DOCTON family, and relates to a marriage between John DOCTON and Agnes CHANTRELL in about 1540, although this plaque is though to have been put here by the son Thomas, who became Lord of the Manor of Northam.

 

During the Civil War, the commander of the Royalist forces: Prince Charles (the future Charles II) is believed to have stayed here on 10 July 1645 after the battle of Naseby.  At the same time, an emergency mint is also believed to have been set up in this location, to produce coinage for the troops.

 

The DOCTON family vacated the building in the 18th Century, after which it has been used for various purposes: Ships pulley-block making, Photographers studio,   Canoe-making and more recently just for storage.  The Grade II* building has now been renovated throughout by David & Jenny, who have created a new use for this historic structure.

 

The front part of the building has been renamed ‘Docton Court’ to distinguish it from ‘Docton House’ at the rear (the building having recently been split into two properties), and the front façade forms the gallery and living accommodation for the owners.

The Upper Room

Restoring the plasterwork