Rockerhayne is a 15th century farmhouse which has largely been untouched by the centuries.
Within the stone walls there are internal wooden beams and paneling, movement in the walls
has meant that steel rods have been inserted through the building to stabilize it.  The thatch has
long gone and the current owners have resorted to corrugated iron panels on the roof.
Below are a selection of photographs taken at Rawkerayne farmhouse in the Offwell valley in
Devon in April 2000.  When the name popped up in the IGI Index as the place of origin for
Robert Mitchell, it rang a distant bell in my memory.  Its just the sort of wet soggy place my
ancestors would spend their lives cultivating.  Entering the house was strange, there was no
instant familiarity or feeling that this was home, instead I was aware of a weight of years in
the old house.  It felt old, and odd.  Perhaps too many families have lived there after the
Mitchell's relinquished it.  Gazing out the window west across the valley, I could easily imagine
experiencing the long days of isolation in this remote Devon valley.  Rawkerayne....there is a
strange feel to that name, I really feel it could have been home. Perhaps old John Mychell left
his mark
                                                                                              Kevin Mitchell   April 2000.

A rather blurry photograph looking east across the Offwell Valley towards Rawkerayne in April 2000.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rawkerayne farmhouse from the front, corrugated iron sheets have replaced the earlier thatch.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looking south along the frontage, note the outbuilding constructed on the side of the farmhouse.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looking north, Corin Mitchell (18/10/83) looks at the front of the farmhouse.

                        

Inside, the door to the right leads to the hallway, the stairs lead up to the right.

The present owner in the kitchen, note the range and the curved doorway.

In the sitting room, Corin and Ethan in front of the massive fireplace.  The brick built hearth is a relatively modern addition.

Rawkerayne Cross or Rockerhayne Cross, only three paths meet here however, the silver car is mine.  Despite its remote location, within 10 minutes of leaving the farm, we were on the main A34 dual carriageway heading towards Exeter.

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Email me    insula.vecta@btopenworld.com