The House
The Old Rectory is a fine example of the substantial houses built by the Church in Devon in the early 19th century. The rooms are large and light, with high-ceilings, and all the original features of the house remain in place: decorative cornices, shutters, open Ashburton marble fireplaces and a magnificent staircase leading to the upstairs bedrooms. There are original paintings throughout the house, some of them seascapes by the owner's favourite local artists.
The house was once surrounded by a verandah, with a metal and glass roof supported by granite pillars.
During the Second World War, when thousands of children from the Midlands were evacuated to South Devon to avoid the blitz, the Rectory provided a home for up to 24 boys and girls at one time.
Among the early Rectors was William Gregor (1761 – 1817), whose wealthy father bought him the “living” of Diptford for £1,000. While a curate looked after church responsibilities, Gregor was able to pursue his interest in science and minerals. He went on to discover titanium, one of the most valuable metals in the world.
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Titanium Bowls