Alongside Cloakham House, Trill Farm, Coombe House, Weycroft Hall and Haven Cliff, Mountfield House is one of the iconic houses in the area that help define the architecturual story of the Axe Valley.
The House
Online sources suggest Mountfield House was built in the late 1700’s by Rev Tucker, one of the most influential people in the area and a pillar of the community.
The name Tucker is still heavily associated with Dalwood, the Tuckers Arms being the obvious reference.
Records from 1836 state it was suitable for any gentleman or family ‘requiring a comfortable and moderate sized residence, and should more rooms be required it is capable of being considerably enlarged’.
Importantly, it was ‘perfectly dry and free from damp’.
National Importance
A Grade II listed mansion of national importance.
The listing highlights a period house with slate roof with stone coping to gable ends and paneled corner pilasters with unique arts and craft metal railings – original to Mountfield House.
There have been many owners of national stature and note. These include Drake family who were relatives of Winston Churchill and Lethbridge, one of the key commanders of the Napoleonic Wars with Nelson and Wellington.
Sadly more latterly the mansions notoriety was because of its online fame as an ‘Abandoned Millionaires Mansion’, gaining a national following of over 20 million people.
Axe Valley Heritage
At the heart of Musbury, every owner made an impact on the community and a key member of parish life. Musbury is a Parish just off the River Axe in East Devon, 2 mile from Axminster and other many other surrounding Axe Valley towns.
Along with Tucker, the Drake family were also owners whos arms adorn St Michaels Church in Musbury as a very proud Axe Valley family.
Herbet and Harry Dutfield (father and son) also lived in the house, whom restarted Axminster Carpets in the town of Axminster. Their daughter (Sue) and son (Simon) were also born in the house; forging a special and ongoing link to the Axminster Carpets Factory
Mountfield House Timeline
1797 – 1800
Mountfield House Built by Rev George Tucker
1817
Sale of House via auction to Thomas Cobham
1850s
House bought by William Farley Lethbridge & Susannah Lethbridge and rebuilt the house. William was Nelson’s Flag Leutenant on HMS Fourdroyant and later lost a leg on HMS Temaraire. William died travelling back from India with the South East India company and was buried at sea. Susannah lived in Musbury until her death in 1851 and has a memorial in St Michael’s Church.
1851
House put up for sale as a very desirable and gentlemanly residence. Believed to be bought by William Trelawney Hallot.
1864
Musbury House is sold at Auction at the White Hart Hotel, Bow, Devon
1866
Susan Lethbridge leaves the house.
1869
Captain John Thomas Still and his wife Charlotte are living in the house registering the birth of a son at the house. By 1871 they had 6 children.
1873
Due to the owners changing residence, Musbury House is advertised in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette for sale complete with excellent Cow in Calf.
1878
The house remains the residence of Captain Still although records are unclear.
1881
There was possibly another sale of the house in this year although Captain Thomas remains in residence.
1891
Census reveals that Frederick Lock, a retired Major of 15th regiment was living at Mountfield with his wife, 5 children and 3 servants.
1909
Frederick Lock dies and is buried in Musbury churchyard. His wife and family remain in residence.
1912
Sale recorded on 25th June to BD Godlonton of London for £2,000.
1919
House sold at Auction at the George Hotel in Axminster via Whitton and Laing Exeter. Bought by William McKinnell a Director of Sheffield Steel.
1920
Sale of contents as Mr Godlonton has sold the property and leaving the neighbourhood. It is believed that William McKinnell and his family move into the house.
1934
William McKinnell dies and is cited in his obituary as ‘one of Nature’s Gentlemen’
1941
Mrs McKinnell dies and the house is again sold at Auction later that year to Harry Dutfield founder of Axminster Carpets, and grandfather of the current owners.
1955?
House purchased by William and Mildred White who ran it as a Hotel – Bed and Breakfast started at 22/6d
1971
William Bernard Mervyn Drake sells to Maurice Heathcote de Lannoy
1981
House gained it’s Grade II listing from Historic England
Unknown
House sold to Dr Annette Mary Drummond-Rees, a Chartered Physiotherapist with the NHS and her Husband Henry. On the death of her husband in 1996 Dr Drummond-Rees continued to live at Mountfield House.
2019
House acquired by Mountfield House Ltd, a private company run and owned by members of the Dutfield family and descendants of Harry Dutfield who owned the house back in 1940’s
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