Annery, Monkleigh

Annery is a country estate in Monkleigh, Devon, composed of several historic structures scattered across the landscape. Three Victorian gatehouses, a Georgian dower house, and stable buildings form the main architectural elements, though the original mansion site now holds a modern bungalow and the surrounding grounds are split among multiple owners.

The estate began as a holding of Tavistock Abbey from around 961, with Osbert de Annery as its first recorded tenant who gave it the family name. Later changes brought Victorian and Georgian architectural styles that shaped the property into its current scattered form.

Charles Kingsley featured this estate as a setting in his novel Westward Ho, where he depicted both a duel and a banquet taking place on the grounds. The property became embedded in English literary culture through these vivid descriptions.

The site can be viewed from public paths and roads surrounding the property, as the buildings sit on private land divided among different owners. Respect for residents' privacy is essential, so do not attempt to enter the grounds without permission or wander beyond accessible areas.

A deer park established in 1422 once occupied the grounds, a private enclosure where the owners kept and hunted deer for sport and food. The park included specialized buildings such as cider houses and a walled kitchen garden that served the practical needs of the working estate.

GPS coordinates: 50.98040,-4.19830

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:48