Report - Langdon Court Manor - January 2021

[Calamity Jane]

I wanted to start the year off with something nice think this place done me well! Hopefully 2021 will bring us all plenty of new explores think I will further my travels this year

You certainly did that, the place is a beaut. Well done

 

[Ulidian]

History: Copied from Wikipedia

Domesday book:
Langedone is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1087 as having been a double manor amongst the 107 Devon holdings granted to Juhel de Totnes, feudal baron of Totnes by William the Conqueror for his support during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Before 1066 one part had been held by Heche (or "Heca"), the other by Gode (or "Goda"). Juhel in turn granted both parts of Langdon to one of his knights named Waldin



Pipard:
During the reign of King Henry III (1216–1272) Langdon was held by the Pipard family and then by the great Courtenay family, Earls of Devon. This family held the estate for nearly 200 years, with the last Courtenay being Marquis of Exeter who in 1538 was beheaded for treason by King Henry VIII. This was probably due to his opposition to Henry’s break with Rome and the creation of the Church of England during the Pilgrimage of Grace uprising. The house later passed to Henry VIII's widow Catherine Parr.

In 1555 Langdon Court was purchased from the crown by Vincent Calmady (d.1579), attorney-at-law. He was the third son of John Calmady of Calmady (a tenement within the manor of Penfound, in the parish of Poundstock, Cornwall) by his wife Frances Vincent, daughter of Francis Vincent. The family had been established at Calmady since at least 1337. This was the start of a great building and landscaping period, much of which exists at Langdon today. The Calmady family created an early English Renaissance garden which survives. Langdon Court remained in the Calmady family until 1875 when the last daughters, Emily and Laura (see Calmady Twins painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence) in the Calmady line died. The early descent was as follows:

Vincent Calmady (d.1579), purchased Langdon. By his first wife Mary Nicks he left children who inherited Langdon.

Josias I Calmady (1565–1611), son and heir, who in 1584 married Katherine Courtenay, daughter and co-heiress of Edward Courtenay of Ugbrooke

Sir Shilston I Calmady (1585–1645), son and heir. He was knighted in 1618 at Theobalds Grove and was killed during the Civil War at the siege of Ford Abbey, Devon, on 13 February 1645, and was buried in nearby Membury parish church, where survives his monument.

Josias II Calmady (1619–1683), third son and eventual heir, MP for Okehampton in 1680
Charles Home Calmady (d.1807). Admiral of the Blue 1804, Captain Bramdean (Hants) Volunteer Cavalry 1798. Died aged 55 at Langdon Hall, Noted families of descent include the Sykes family, who through Admiral Clark Gayton, are of relation to the Calmady's of Langdon.



Cory:
Richard Cory purchased Langdon Court in 1876. He was the son of William Cory, who founded the coal shipping and bunkering firm in London known as William Cory & Son. During his tenure, extensive repairs and alterations were made to the house. On several occasions, Richard Cory played host to his friend the Prince of Wales, later to become Edward VII, who was often accompanied by his friend, the society beauty and actress Lillie Langtry.



Later owners:
On Richard Cory’s death in 1904 the estate was broken up and Mrs. Kenyon-Slaney bought the house and 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land. She lived in the house until the beginning of the Second World War. After the war Langdon Court was purchased by the City Council of Plymouth and used as a children’s convalescent home.

In 1960 the council sold the building and work was carried out to convert the building into the Langdon Court Hotel. In 2018 the hotel was bought by the Carlauren Group. Carlauren Group's Heritage Hotels division went into administration in December 2019, and Langdon Court Hotel was closed in June 2020 after losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Closure & Decay:
Around November 2020 somebody broke entry to the property and since has been frequented by urban explorers.

Having this place pinned and seeing it put on YouTube I just had to make the 2 hour road trip to see it
( furthest drive yet lol ) so glad I did it was such a beautiful building I am abit gutted I didn’t capture it as nicely as it deserves though and the basement door was screwed shut with about 50 screws which I really wanted to see as from videos online it looks well kool would of loved to get on my hands and knees and crawl through the smuggers tunnel! Guess I got there a little to late

Why no mention of the owners John and Sheila Barnes and Alan and Anne Cox before Carlauren Group

 

[Bristol-Wanderer]

Why no mention of the owners John and Sheila Barnes and Alan and Anne Cox before Carlauren Group

Literally copied the first thing I found lol I’m more than happy for you to post anything you know on this place bud