Pilton House, Pilton

Pilton House in the parish of Pilton, near Barnstaple, North Devon, Ex31, is an historic grade II listed Georgian mansion house built in 1746 by Robert Incledon (1676-1758), twice Mayor of Barnstaple, who was from nearby Braunton. It is situated almost in the centre of the ancient town of Pilton, but had formerly extensive grounds covering at least 20 acres, which extended down "Pilton Lawn", now built over, to the River Yeo. It later served as the residence for various Members of Parliament for Barnstaple, for which it was well suited being only a 10-minute walk from the centre of that town, yet in a secluded situation with extensive grounds, and sufficiently large and grand for entertaining borough officials and electors.

No records detailing the history of the site of Pilton House before the 18th century survives on available title deeds. It is believed to occupy the site of the demolished mediaeval Pilton Priory. Reed (1985) states that the site was part of the Pilton Priory lands purchased following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by George Rolle (d.1552) of Stevenstone, founder of the influential and wealthy Rolle family, and quickly re-sold by him in 1545 piecemeal and at a profit.

"Capital mansion house, offices, coach-house, stabling, lawn, pleasure grounds, gardens, conservatory, fountain and plantations with lodge entrance in Pilton Street, containing approximately 20 acres"

He sold at the same time Westaway House and farm, comprising 42 acres and 40 houses, cottages and gardens with the public house "The Priory Arms", fishing rights in the River Yeo and various other lands amounting to about 137 acres.

The next owner was Sir William Fraser, 4th Baronet (1826-1898), a politician, author and book collector. He was elected Member of Parliament for Barnstaple (Devon) in 1852 (later unseated following a public enquiry into bribery), and again in 1857, and for Ludlow (Shropshire) in 1863 and for Kidderminster (Warwickshire) in 1894. In 1859 there existed a public house on Pilton Street named after him "The Fraser Arms".

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