Free Cottages

FREE COTTAGES, 41 AND 42, MOUNT DINHAM

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1380575
Date first listed:
23-Jun-2000
List Entry Name:
Free Cottages
Statutory Address:
FREE COTTAGES, 41 AND 42, MOUNT DINHAM
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Location

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Reference:
IOE01/16661/34
Rights:
© Mr David Withey. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1380575
Date first listed:
23-Jun-2000
List Entry Name:
Free Cottages
Statutory Address 1:
FREE COTTAGES, 41 AND 42, MOUNT DINHAM

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
FREE COTTAGES, 41 AND 42, MOUNT DINHAM

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:
Devon
District:
Exeter (District Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SX 91552 92662

Details

SX 9192 NE MOUNT DINHAM
871/2/10086 41 AND 42
23-JUN-00 Free Cottages

GV II

Pair of cottages. Part of a group of free cottages for the elderly, funded by William Gibbs. 1862. Red brick with painted stone dressings; slate roof; stacks with brick shafts; cast iron rainwater goods. Tudor style.
Plan: Part of a complex built on the bluff overlooking the River Exe and grouped with a school and church, also funded by Gibbs. This pair, at the entrance to the complex and visible down Dinham Road, has more architectural detail than the rest. The 2 units are entered on the returns.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Openings are painted stone with quoined jambs. Asymmetrical front with gables to the front with deep eaves and pierced curly bargeboards, that on left to half dormer with one-light window above Tudor-arched doorway and that on right to broad projecting bay with 2-light window above parapetted canted bay window. Similar doorway to right.
INTERIOR: Not inspected but may retain features of interest.
Historical Note: The site was purchased by John Dinham to prevent its becoming a fairground. Gibbs, of Tyntesfield in Somerset, was a guano merchant and became a banker. He was born in Exeter and an effigy of him stands in St Michael's Church (qv), next to the free cottages.
This is part of an important Victorian complex of philanthropic buildings, designed together.


Listing NGR: SX9155292662

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
480882
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Free Cottages

Map

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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