PAST
Reed Hall
A trip down memory lane
Reed Hall is one of the most picturesque buildings on the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus. It is no surprise that the beauty of Reed Hall often attracts many alumni couples who met at Exeter to opt for Reed Hall as their wedding venue. Reed Hall is also a venue for meetings and conferences, as well as other events and this iconic building is enriched with a fascinating history.
1867: Building Duryard Lodge
Reed Hall was built in 1867 and was called Duryard Lodge at that time. It was owned by Richard Thornton-West who paid more than £80,000 to build the property itself and invested a further £70,000 into the surrounding gardens. The property was admired by many of the residents in the city of Exeter who watched in awe as Richard Thornton-West and his family moved into their new home in 1869.
1891: The Orangery
A number of improvements were made after the family had moved in. The building was renamed Streatham Hall, a billiard room was constructed with cast iron pillars towards the rear of the house, and a heating system was installed. In addition to this, the famous Palm House was built in 1891 and plants from all over the world were planted in the garden.
The Palm House is particularly interesting as, in 1926, it was re-located away from the property. It is now called The Orangery and can be found at the back of The Imperial Pub (Wetherspoons), which is located between the Streatham Campus and St David’s train station.
1878: The fallen soldier
Reed Hall (still known as Streatham Hall at the time) was passed to Thornton-West’s son Richard Bowerman-West in 1878 and was auctioned in 1900 but was not sold. Between the early 1900s and the start of the First World War, the Streatham grounds were used for various events. However, in August 1914, Streatham Hall was required to house troops for the war.
1917: Hospital Number 7
In 1917, as war casualties were increasing, the building was used as a temporary military hospital. It was one of seven that were opened in Exeter and was used to nurse recovering officers and held up to 100 patients.
The wounded at Streatham Hall were visited by The Prince of Wales in 1921 who was on a trip to Exeter. The Prince was very impressed by the building, particularly because the hospital was equipped with operating theatres and X-ray units, and he was “charmed by the excellence of the building.”
1922: Reed Hall after the war
It was after the war that Reed Hall was first used for educational purposes. It was put on the market for £8,000 once the war had ended and was bought in 1922 by Alderman WH Reed, a partner of the Exeter Express and Echo, who gifted it to the University of the South West. The college was mostly based on Gandy Street and there were agreements in place that it would one day become a university. This agreement was responsible for what would become the University of Exeter occupying Exeter’s Streatham Campus.
In 1925, the house was renamed Reed Hall after Alderman WH Reed and it opened as a Hall of Residence for men studying at the University. Over the next few years, the University expanded, and new facilities were added to the Streatham Campus.
1939: The Second World War
When the Second World War began, Reed Hall was again used as a military hospital. Many men were deferring their education as they were having to become soldiers for their country. There were, however, some students that still occupied part of the building until their summer vacation.
Reed Hall also housed 180 boys from Westminster School who moved in with their Headmaster. They were taught on the Gandy Street premises of Exeter College.
Soon after, 70 females moved into Reed Hall when it became the Central School for Speech Training and Dramatic Art. Medical students also were housed in Reed Hall and, like nowadays, many social events were held there.
1955-2024: Reed Hall now
By 1955, the University received its Charter and achieved full University status, and Reed Hall has witnessed its expansion over the last seven decades.
The Reed Hall gardens are still in use and offer a tranquil location amongst the busyness of the University. The elegant aesthetic of Reed Hall, along with its beautiful grounds and first-class menus, as well as dedicated event organisers, means that Reed Hall is a perfect and unique setting for many occasions. We are lucky to have this iconic building in the heart of our campus for so many students, staff, and alumni to enjoy.
