Built / Designed For: Edward Cotsford

House & Family History: Winslade was built in the early 19th century by Edward Cotsford, MP and Sheriff of Devon, who made a fortune in the East Indies. The plain house of two stories is of five-by-six bays with attics and a basement. In the mid-19th century improvements were carried out for Henry Porter; in 1879 William T. Sams carried out alterations for Josiah Dixon (the majority of the 19th and 20th century additions have been removed). The most noted feature of Winslade is its full-height top-lit central hall, which sports a domed lantern with garlands in the style of Robert Adam. The Hall has two sets of galleries on four sides with Ionic columns on the ground floor and Composite columns and fluted square piers above. The House was used for a school in the mid-20th century and was later neglected. In 1975-77 Winslade was converted to the headquarters offices of the London and Manchester Assurance Company. The three-story steel-framed addition of 1982-83, to the designs of Marshman Warren Taylor, expanded the staff space to accommodate 850 people. The London and Manchester was purchased by Friends Provident, who closed the Winslade office.

Garden & Outbuildings: The U-shaped Stables, though extant, were gutted to provide a swimming pool, squash courts, and other facilities for office staff. The Walled Garden was converted into a parking lot. The Greek Doric White Lodge (circa 1820) on the Old Exeter Road, and the Red Lodge on Church Lane, are both extant.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Edward Cotsford, MP, 19th century. Henry Porter, 19th century. Josiah Dixon, late 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: Unknown

Primary Current Ownership Use: Unknown

Ownership Details: Most recently used as offices for the London and Manchester Assurance Company.

House Open to Public: Unknown

Historic Houses Member: No