Atop St. David’s Hill in Exeter, Northlands, number 28 (now Shirehampton House, 35 -37 St. David’s Hill), stands as a remarkable relic of the city’s Victorian past and a testament to its adaptability. This once grand family home became a hub of civic life, a centre for broadcasting, and later a modern housing development. Its journey mirrors Exeter’s evolution through the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Here is the full story of Northlands, rich in detail and steeped in history.
Victorian Beginnings: Walter Pring’s Residence and Legacy
Built in the mid 19th century, Northlands was designed as an elegant semi-detached Victorian family home, situated in one of Exeter’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. St. David’s Hill, with its commanding views over the River Exe and its proximity to the city centre, was a sought-after address for Exeter’s elite.
Northlands became the home of Walter Pring, a prominent local businessman and civic leader. Pring was the co-owner of Norman and Pring, a significant brewery in Exeter, and played an influential role in the city’s economy. As a Justice of the Peace (JP), city councillor, and later Mayor of Exeter, Pring’s life embodied the values of public service and enterprise.
At Northlands, Pring:
- Oversaw his duties as a senior partner of the brewery.
- Managed his civic responsibilities, including his tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee and as a long-serving alderman.
- Lived with his family in the spacious, well-appointed home, which featured:
- Four reception rooms for entertaining guests and conducting business.
- Nine bedrooms, ample for family, guests, and domestic staff.
- Gardens and glasshouses, reflecting Victorian horticultural pride.
Pring passed away suddenly at Northlands in 1910, leaving behind a legacy of service and leadership. His widow continued to reside at the home until her death in 1919, at which point the property’s connection to the Pring family ended.
1920: Auction and New Ownership
Following Mrs. Pring’s death, Northlands was listed for auction in February 1920, as advertised in the Western Morning News. It was marketed as a freehold family residence, offering:
- Delightful and extensive views over the city.
- A pretty lawn, cultivated gardens, and excellent glasshouses.
- Stabling or a motor garage, showcasing the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles.
- Modern amenities for the time, including a bathroom with hot and cold water.
The adjoining property, No. 29 St. David’s Hill, was also included in the auction. Together, these properties represented the grandeur of Victorian living in Exeter.
World War II and Post-War Era: A Civic Role
During World War II, Northlands shifted from a private residence to a government office. By 1945, it had been repurposed as a Resettlement Advice Office under the Ministry of Labour and National Service. This office provided vital support to those rebuilding their lives after the war, particularly returning servicemen and civilians seeking work and housing.
Under the management of Mr. H. T. W. Richardson, Northlands became a lifeline for the community, assisting Exeter’s residents during a period of great transition and recovery.
1979: The DevonAir Radio Years
In 1979, Northlands entered a new chapter when it was purchased as the headquarters and studios of DevonAir Radio that launched in 1980.
At Northlands, DevonAir:
- Created broadcasting and recording studios and administrative offices within the Victorian building.
- Transformed the once grand family home into a bustling hub of local media production.
- Retained the building’s Victorian charm, blending modern broadcasting needs with its historic architecture.
For 15 years, Northlands was synonymous with DevonAir, which connected communities through music, news, and cultural programming. However, in 1994, DevonAir lost its broadcasting franchise, and the property was sold.
1994: Devon Wildlife Trust
After DevonAir’s departure, Northlands was sold to the Devon Wildlife Trust, a prominent conservation organisation. The property, renamed Shirehampton House, served as offices, providing a base for the Trust’s efforts to protect and preserve Devon’s natural environment. During this period, the building remained a hub of activity, albeit with a quieter, more ecological focus.
Redevelopment: From Heritage to Housing
In 2007, Northlands underwent significant redevelopment. The property was sold again, this time to developers who reimagined it for modern housing:
- The Victorian external walls were carefully preserved, maintaining the building’s architectural integrity and historic charm.
- The interior was restructured to accommodate modern flats, reflecting the increasing demand for urban housing in Exeter.
- The gardens and grounds of Northlands were built over to create a new block of housing, further maximising the site’s residential potential.
This redevelopment marked the final transformation of Northlands, blending its Victorian heritage with contemporary living.
The Northlands Timeline
- Mid 19th Century: Built as a grand Victorian family home for Exeter’s elite.
- Late 19th–1910: Residence of Walter Pring, a leading businessman and civic leader.
- 1910: Walter Pring passed away at Northlands.
- 1920: Auctioned following the death of Mrs. Pring, transitioning to new ownership.
- 1930’s: Repurposed as a Resettlement Advice Office later for post-war recovery.
- 1979: Purchased by DevonAir Radio as its headquarters and studios.
- 1994: Sold to the Devon Wildlife Trust for use as offices.
- 1990s–2000s: Redeveloped into housing, retaining its Victorian façade while transforming its gardens and grounds.
Legacy of Northlands
The story of Northlands is a microcosm of Exeter’s history. From its Victorian heyday as the home of a prominent brewery owner and civic leader, to its role in post-war recovery and local broadcasting, Northlands has continually adapted to meet the needs of the community. Its Victorian walls, preserved through redevelopment, stand as a testament to the building’s resilience and historical significance.
Northlands today (a name no longer connected to the building) is more than a housing complex. It is a living reminder of the people and events that shaped Exeter’s past—a symbol of the city’s ability to balance progress with the preservation of its rich heritage.
Ghosts at DevonAir?
There are claims that the former DevonAir Radio Studios on St. David’s Hill in Exeter were built atop an old plague pit. These assertions are linked to reports of unexplained phenomena, such as doors closing on their own, which some attribute to the spirits of plague victims.
However, concrete historical evidence confirming the existence of a plague pit at this specific location is lacking. While Exeter experienced significant plague outbreaks in the past, including the Black Death in 1348 and subsequent epidemics in 1590, 1603, 1624, and 1625, detailed records of burial sites from these periods are scarce.
In 1832, during a cholera outbreak, victims in Exeter were buried in pits approximately 8 feet deep, treated with quicklime, with initial burials at Bartholomew burial ground. However, there is no documented evidence linking these burial practices to the area around St. David’s Hill.
In summary, while local lore suggests that a plague pit existed beneath the former DevonAir Radio Studios on St. David’s Hill, definitive historical documentation to substantiate this claim is absent.
Ian Waugh, NightWatch Presenter – Recollection:
“I was the first person to present late evening programmes on DevonAir (NightWatch, 2200–midnight). In the station’s very early days on air (during late 1980), I was often the only person in the building during those hours. That was, until three intoxicated individuals somehow entered the premises, stumbled their way through the ‘Racks Room’ (the technical area), and burst through a ‘red light’ into my studio while I was live on air. I had to manage the situation in real time during the broadcast.
This was on the station’s first Saturday evening programme, I mentioned on air that the studio had been invaded and that I required assistance at St David’s Hill. The following Monday, I lodged a formal complaint with the Managing Director at the time, Maurice Vass, stating that, in my opinion, it was inappropriate and unsafe to be left alone in the building to operate equipment and present live radio programmes.
As a result, Programme Assistants were subsequently appointed to accompany me (or any on-duty presenter) during those shifts. I recall three of these assistants asking to leave early on different occasions because they claimed to feel a “presence” in the building. One assistant, who also worked as a receptionist at DevonAir, was adamant that there was a “ghost” and requested to be excused from any further late evening duties.
To steady my nerves when walking alone through the corridors, I used to whistle to myself (sounds a bit mad now, doesn’t it!). One night, after closedown, the Chief Engineer, Nick Johnson – who is a friend of mine – decided to play a prank. He secretly waited for me and managed to scare the living daylights out of me as I was leaving the studio block and making my way through the building.
I always thought the place had an eerie atmosphere at night, although it was probably just my imagination running wild – or was it 😉?”