Acland, Landkey

The estate of Acland (alias Accelana, Akeland etc.) in the parish of Landkey, near Barnstaple in North Devon, England, was from 1155 the earliest known seat of the influential and wealthy family of Acland, to which it gave the surname de Acland. It is situated about 3/4 mile north-east of the village of Landkey, from which it is now cut off by the busy A361 North Devon Link Road.

The estate remained the seat of the Aclands until the 17th century, after which it was let to tenants until sold in 1945.

Acland Barton and Chapel were classed as a Grade I listed building in 1965. The house was completely rebuilt in the 15th century, and included its own private domestic chapel, licensed by the Bishop of Exeter. The date 1591 survives carved onto the wooden porch, and represents the modernisation and rebuilding of the house at that date involving the insertion into the great hall of a ceiling with room above, thus lowering the height of the house's principal room. This work was done by Hugh Acland (1543–1622), who lived at Acland his whole life.

The surviving structure is the main range and west wing of the Tudor house. The hall's wooden screen and screens passage survives. The windows of the main range are later alterations.

The estate is likely originally to have been named after its first Saxon holder named Acca. The estate was held under the feudal tenure of socage from the manor of Bishop's Tawton (in which was situated the parish of Landkey), one of the possessions of the See of Exeter. The house contained its own domestic chapel, licensed by the Bishop of Exeter.

The Devon historian Risdon (died 1640) stated regarding the parish of Landkey:

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