The project will enable full restoration of the house and ensure the ground floor and gardens are available for wider community use. The upper floors will be converted into holiday accommodation to provide essential income for the site’s long-term future.

There will be an extensive education programme for people of all ages to learn about the property and acquire conservation and volunteering skills. The community kitchen will be the focus of a social enterprise partnership in catering for students with learning disabilities from nearby Petroc College.

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: “For over 400 years The Walronds has been at the heart of the town. Local volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival, and now with support from HLF, the trust will be able to restore The Walronds and open it up for wider use by the community. This is a wonderful example of how the preservation and care of our heritage can directly benefit local people.”

Speaking on behalf of the Cullompton Walronds Preservation Trust, Jane Campbell, Chair, and Michael Woodcock, Company Secretary, said: “We, at the Walronds, are immensely grateful to the national trustees of the HLF for this wonderful grant. We are determined to fulfil their trust by bringing the project to full life to the benefit of our community and, through the Vivat Trust, to the benefit of visitors from all over the country and from overseas. We have a skilful and determined team and will do the job well and quickly.”

The Walronds is a Tudor house from the early 1600s. It was built in the centre of the bustling market town of Cullompton, which was owned for many centuries by Buckland Abbey. The building is a rare intact example of an early town house and provides a unique snapshot of 17th-century living, and the restoration will ensure rescue and survival of its valued features, whilst providing a much-needed community resource.

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK, including £411million to 3,100 projects across the South West.

Further information

Katie Owen or Alison Scott, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6036 / 32. Out of hours mobile on 07973 613820.