Nestled within a valley on a 290 acre estate in the parish of Ugborough, Devon lies the Fowlescombe farm development dating back to 1537, when the Fowell family constructed a manor house hidden from prying eyes and close to natural springs in a combe. The manor, its out-buildings and landscaped gardens have long since been abandoned. Beside these ruins sits a development combining farming and accommodation which has grown and spread over the last 400 years up the valley from the old ruins. This sprawling linear composition of agricultural buildings from the 17th, 19th and 21st centuries is composed of industrial agricultural sheds, old stone barns and a Victorian farmhouse.
Direct commission
Fowlescombe Farm
Hospitality Ugborough, DevonUnited Kingdom
The new masterplan separates conflicting uses. All existing buildings in the farm valley, as well as some new buildings, provide accommodation and facilities for short-stay guests and farm management, while the English longhorns, native breed sheep and rare breed pigs are re-housed on the farm periphery. Within the expansive rolling fields and woodlands the livestock rotate, roam and feed on grass. Vegetables and herbs are grown in kitchen gardens, orchards provide fruit, hiking trails, wellness areas and natural ponds offer relaxation and reflection.
Team:
Architect:
Studio Gugger
Partner architect:
Eldwin Ltd.
Structural Engineer:
PCA Consulting
MEP Engineer:
E3 Consulting Engineers LLP
Quantity Surveyor:
Taylor Lewis Ltd.
General contractor:
Heron Building Contractors