Monday 29 November 2021

Bridge Toll House, Sidmouth, Devon



 

Like all toll houses, this one has a character all of its own. Built in the Neo-Classical Greek Revival style for the newly erected Waterloo Bridge over the River Sid in 1817, it is a Grade II Listed building.

A single-storey house, it has this wonderfully grand pediment supported by Doric columns and some lovely tall octagonal chimneys.


When the Sidmouth and Honiton Turnpike Trust was disbanded in 1888 both the toll house and its gate were made redundant. It was eventually acquired by Sidmouth Council, repaired and upgraded with central heating, and is now residential.

You can just about see the toll gate in the photo below, at the other side of the house. Having been left in a nearby field it was found and restored in the 1970s, and is now situated at the entrance to a river walk called The Byes.

Incidentally, I came across this when a friend and myself went to Sidmouth for the Sidmouth Folk Week. It was the nearest she could park and we had quite a walk into town, but such a good opportunity to take some photos and enjoy seeing this fab little toll house. :)


 





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