Researched by Heritage Advisory Group
Woodbine Terrace leads off Elm Grove Road and encloses the park. This late-Victorian terrace was built immediately to the rear of much earlier buildings in Elm Grove Terrace, which still remain, facing the later clock tower.
Woodbine Terrace consists of eight houses which, like Bystock Terrace, are crowned by Gothic gables rather than a classical parapet or eaves cornice.
The doorways relieve the severity of the design with pointed arches supported by boldly-carved Venetian or early-French Gothic style capitals of a type popularised by the writings of John Ruskin.
The sash windows are also modern in style, without any glazing bars, reflecting advances in the techniques of glass-making from the 1850s, which allowed for windows with larger panes.
The terrace is well preserved and retains many original features.
This brick terrace was built from 1876 to 1877. When newly-built they comprised two sitting rooms, four bedrooms, a bathroom and water closet along with kitchens, larder and servants’ water closet. The terrace was named after Woodbine Cottage, the home of Mr H. Sellers which was demolished to make way for the terrace. It, along with Woodbine Villa, had been for sale through the early 1860s and the land was advertised as ripe for development.
The terrace was built by a Mr Roberts. Amongst the early residents were Miss Farrant, honorary secretary of the Exeter Penny Dinner Society. From 1920 to 1922 all eight properties were offered for sale; their current rental value was between £30 and £36 (£871.13 to £1,046.08 in today’s money) per year.
In 1939 one resident, Henry Hook, sued John Toogood, an Exeter hairdresser, for damages following his wife having her dark brown hair dyed. Toogood charged £1 11s 6d (£61.97) but the dye proved dangerous. The judge, despite deciding that Mrs Bessie Hook was `a highly nervous woman and imaginative by temperament’, had been injured and awarded the couple damages of £309 (£12,158.04).
In 1939 one resident, Henry Hook, sued John Toogood, an Exeter hairdresser, for damages following his wife having her dark brown hair dyed. Toogood charged £1 11s 6d (£61.97) but the dye proved dangerous. The judge, despite deciding that Mrs Bessie Hook was `a highly nervous woman and imaginative by temperament’, had been injured and awarded the couple damages of £309 (£12,158.04).