BRIDGE HOUSE

Bridge House was built in 1793 for newly weds John Davy Foulkes and Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Inglett Fortescue, Lord of the Manor of Dawlish. Foulkes was the commander of the East Indiaman ship “Asia” and, in 1795, captured seven Dutch East Indiamen off St Helena. With his prize money, he bought a house in Exeter. However, he died in 1813 and in 1814, the house was put up for sale.

Sales Particulars:
House: dining room, drawing room, breakfast room, five bedrooms, water closet.
For the servants: housekeepers room, butler’s pantry, kitchen, dairy,cellars and five bedrooms at the top.
Double coach house and stabling.
Two acres and a cottage

However, the house was not sold until 1829, when retired vicar from Dublin, Rev Theobald Walsh and his family moved in. He enlarged the house to accommodate his seven children by adding the bow fronted extension. Generations of the family lived in Bridge House until 1898. Then, for several years, the family leased the house out to visitors for the summer and only returned occasionally.

It is believed that Charles Dickens wrote parts of Nicholas Nickleby (published 1838) whilst staying here and made Dawlish the birthplace of its main character

In 1906, the house was bought by Sir William Gordon-Cumming, a retired lieutenant Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, who fought in the Zulu Wars and Egypt. The family had estates in Scotland and owned Gordonstoun (later the public school). He was discharged from his regiment for dishonourable conduct after cheating at cards, when playing Baccarat with the Prince of Wales and friends.

The family enjoyed living in Dawlish. Their daughter loved the garden and wild primroses. They helped the local cricket club, re-turfing the pitch on the Newhay. And two members played for the club. The family returned to Scotland in 1913.

Then, Lady Fairlie-Cunningham bought the house and eventually sold it to the trustees of the Railway Convalescent Homes in 1918. The institution was established in 1899 by a group of railway men. They were funded by subscriptions deducted from the men’s pay as the railway companies did not provide any financial support. The first convalescent home was in Herne Bay. The Dawlish home was very popular and in 1929, it was substantially extended. A Games room and Billiard room were added in 1935. An additional storey was added to the games wing to provide a writing room, rest room and veranda.

The ghost of Lillie Langtry is said to haunt the house. She is said to have stayed here with Edward VII when it was owned by Lady Cunningham until the end of WW1.