THE NOBODY INN

The earliest records name a Saxon landowner, Alsi, as the holder of Doddiscombsleigh before 1066. The first mention of Town Barton appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, when Doddiscombsleigh was known as Terra Godeboldi, under the reign of Godbold the Bowman. Town Barton served as the Capital Barton (Manor House) for Godbold’s Domesday Estates, making it a rare instance of a property directly traceable to its Domesday owner.

Over the centuries, the house has been remodelled and rebuilt. Sir Ralph de Doddescomb, who lived here between 1216 and 1272, left such an imprint that the village name changed from Legh Peverel to Doddiscombsleigh. Between 1327 and 1377, the last male Doddescomb passed away, leaving five daughters. Through marriage, the manor was divided, leading to five Lords overseeing the estate.

Among these Lords, one possessed the original house of Town Barton and the land that now belongs to The NoBody Inn. In 1591, Robert Parr, a wealthy Exeter merchant, purchased “messuages, lands, pastures, commons, groves, marshes, woods, rents, etc.” in Doddiscombsleigh and Bridford from a gentleman named James Woodeye. The deeds had previously belonged to his father, Peter, and before him, Robert Holbeme in 1570.

The cottage that now stands as The NoBody Inn was one of these historic dwellings, recorded in 1837. Though it did not officially become an inn until 1838, its role in the community had been well-established. From at least the early 1600s, the house functioned as the village’s unofficial Church House. Originally known as Pophill Howse, its exact details remain elusive until 1752 when ownership passed to Stephen Diggines, a carpenter. Stephen and his son contributed their craft to the local church, and their home became a central hub for parish affairs, an informal inn, and a meeting place.

It wasn’t until after Stephen Jr.’s death in 1837 that Pophill House was officially renamed The New Inn. Since then, it has remained a beloved establishment, changing ownership only five times—always passing to individuals who appreciate its deep history, the charm of the village, and its tradition of offering fine food, wine, and a warm welcome to all.