Potheridge

Potheridge is a manor estate in Merton that retains original architectural features including a classical staircase and two substantial 17th-century door frames. The Grade I listed building now operates as an outdoor activity center for young people on six acres of its historic grounds.

The estate appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Baldwin de Moels, a sheriff of Devon who held the land. Around 1660, George Monck, First Duke of Albemarle, enlarged it into a grand mansion, though substantial sections were demolished after 1734.

The wooden overmantel inside displays five cherubs surrounded by flowers, symbolizing the return of the English monarchy. These carved details remain as some of the few artistic touches from that period still visible in the house.

The site functions today as an activity center that welcomes group visits and school groups exploring the Devon countryside. Visitors should inquire ahead about access to the main house, as it is not always open to casual tourists.

George Monck, a powerful figure in the English Restoration, personally transformed the original manor into a grand residence in the 1660s. His architectural influence lingers in the classical elements that survive today, making him a hidden link to this place's past.