Some 525 cottages in Devon were restored according to the generous provisions of the 1926 Housing (Rural Workers Act) between 1926 and 1930. Although the 1926 act was a national scheme to improve the housing of farm workers, Devon was one of only a handful of counties to take the scheme up. Strong support for Devon’s participation came from Sir Francis Acland and R. T. Shears, Clerk to County Council’s Housing (Rural Workers) Act Committee. The latter published a book on the subject (Conservation of Devonshire Cottages, 1968).
A number of ‘before and after’ photographs were taken of these properties at the time but most of their locations are unknown. Since the 1920s further changes may of course have been made to these dwellings. Do you recognise any of them?
If you do please write to philippeplanel@gmail.com
Click on the images to view full size.
| House 1 | House 2 | House 3 | Barn Conversion 1 |
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| Barn Conversion 2 | House 4 | House 5 | Barn Conversion 3 |
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No ‘after’ photo from the 1920s available |
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| No modern photo available Feb 2022 |  |
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| Barn Conversion 2 – 2022
Beard’s Farm, Fremington Identified by Emma Rhoads |
House 4 – 2021
1-4 Glebe Cottages, Drewsteignton Identified by Alex, HER Environment Officer and Samantha, Head of Comms |
House 5 – 2021
Church Hill, Awliscombe Identified by John Cann of Awliscombe |
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| Store Conversion 1 | Georgian House 1 | Woollen Mill 1 | School House |
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| Woollen Mill 1 – 2022
This mill has been identified as situated in Chagford. |
School House
Fourways, Langdown, Spreyton, EX 17 5AX Located by Andy Bowman |