History of Wooldown

Wooldown was built by a Doctor, Henry Bury Knight in 1906.  It was thought that the location of the house was chosen due to the far reaching views of the Cornish countryside and fresh coastal air which are likely to have very positive effects on the health and wellbeing for those staying.  A large amount of wood used within the house, such as the wood used on the central staircase was imported from America (see central staircase image).

Thomas Percy Fulford lived at Wooldown from 1919 to 1934, Fulford installed electricity in the house and was involved in many civic and sporting organisations, he became Mayor of Launceston in 1949.  In December 1949, Fulford had sailed on a three month official visit to Tasmania, taking the Mayoral Chain, this was the first time it had been permitted to leave England.

In 1934, J R Blewett (Roger’s Dad) bought Wooldown with ten acres of land.  The sale of Wooldown was witnessed by Robert Hawker, an Anglican priest, poet  and antiquarian of Cornwall who also introduced the Harvest Festival.  Hawker built a small driftwood hut into the hillside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Morwenstow, it was here he would spend many hours writing poems.  Hawkers Hut can still be seen today. and is the smallest property in the hands of the National Trust. 

All three generations of Blewett’s dealt in livestock but to provide an additional source of income Roger’s Grandfather bought the beds so the main house could be run as a guest house for up to 26 guests, only having access to one bathroom!  Modern additions were made to the house, such as hot and cold running water in all bedrooms and a hot and cold bath which was unusual for the time.  

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening supper was all included and cooked by Roger’s Mum.  Most of the produce used for meals were actually grown in the gardens surrounding the house from lettuce, potatoes, carrots, peas, beans, swede, tomatoes and other fresh produce - gooseberries, blackcurrants, raspberries also eggs, milk, clotted cream and butter.  The main lawn was used as a tennis and croquet court to entertain guests.

Around 50 acres of land was purchased and an additional 100 acres was rented by Roger to allow the farm’s dairy to reach 100 cows, at the time this was a good sized herd producing milk for Davidstow Creamery (see image of Roger with the milk tank full to the brim).  

Roger and Susan married in 1974.  At this time, there were three self-catering properties, the large wing of the main house, known as ‘Little Wooldown’ and later as ‘Wooldown Farmhouse’ accommodating a family of eight. ‘Cyder Cottage’ and ‘Rowbarton’ (Sunny Corner) on Hilton Road were also family self-catering accommodation.

Alongside the farm, Susan built up the self-catering side of the business with a timeline of progression below.