Welcome to the Mansion, Totnes -

a not for profit charitable community facility

What facilities are available to hire at the Mansion?

A range of rooms and spaces for workshops, training, events, craft activities – all sorts of activities that support the community-based education, local enterprise and the well-being of people locally. You can see the rooms available as a list below.

If you are not sure about the space you need, or how it will support your activities, please get in touch and we would be happy to help. We are happy to provide a risk assessment template and talk to you about insurance and what is required of you prior to confirming your booking.

Contact us at:

As a listed building with more than one extension, it can be quite hard to navigate the first time you visit so we encourage people to arrive early for events so that they can find their way around. All rooms are accessible for people in wheelchairs or limited mobility. There are toilets on each floor, with a disabled access toilet on the ground floor of the main building and the library extension.

There is a cafe on site and several other local cafes in the Town. Whilst you are welcome to bring in take-away tea and coffee please remember to leave the room as you found it, clean and tidy. Catering in rooms is only by arrangement and permission of the facilities management team.

Wifi is available in some areas of the building and is currently being upgraded. Please let us know if you need Wifi when you book.

How can I book space at the Mansion?

Please read the information in this document and review the room descriptions below. Once you have completed the booking form below please e-mail it to us at

We will review your booking and get back to you with any further information we need or confirmation of your booking.

If you would like to enquire about the availability of space please e-mail us above in advance of booking. Please note we cannot reserve space until we receive a completed booking form. We encourage you to book space as early as possible so that we can best support your needs.

What is the Mansion?

A Grade II* listed Georgian house, built in 1797, the building became a Grammar School and then a centre for adult education with the charitable objects of:

A centre for the provision of facilities for the promotion of further education for the inhabitants of Totnes, and subject thereto for meeting, lectures, classes, physical exercise and other forms of recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

In managing the Mansion as a community facility the aim is to maximise the use of the building by the communityto meet the objectives above through a diverse range of organisations, enterprises and groups.

All hirers are required to support the efficient running of the building, and the principles that underpin its management:

  • That space will provide opportunities for new projects and enterprises that meet the broad needs of people in Totnes and surrounding areas
  • The building will be professionally run, with employed staff to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all
  • That the building will be run sustainably, both environmentally and financially
  • Collaboration between tenants, hirers and userswill be encouraged and supported where possible
  • Tenants, hirers and users of the building are partners in helping our staff to keep our spaces clean, pleasant, in a state of good repair
  • Tenants, hirers and users of the building are partners in helping our staff to keep the Mansion as a safe space in keeping with the KEVICSF Health and Safety Policy.

All income generated through hire of space in the building is used to run the Mansion, to ensure all spaces are fit for purpose and well maintained for continued use into the future.

Who is responsible for the Mansion?

In January 2017, following a process of due diligence, the Sole Trusteeship of the Charity (King Edward VI College Site Foundation – locally known as the Mansion) transferred from Devon County Council to Totnes Community Development Society.

If you have ideas for how we can work with you to support on-going use and commitment to this important space by the community then please let us know.

King Edward VI College Site Foundation is a registered charity registered in England and Wales with charity number 307525, 36 Fore Street, Totnes, TQ9 5RP

Totnes Community Development Society Ltd is an Industrial Provident Society (31671 R) for the Benefit of the Community, regulated by the FCA and registered at Atmos Project, Station Yard, Station Road, TQ9 5JR

ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR SESSIONAL HIRE

Floor / Room Name / Max no. people / Likely uses / Facilities / Price per hour
Not-for-profit uses / Revenue generating uses
Ground / Landscove / 15 / Workshops, classes, training, meetings / Tables and chairs, wall mounted projector and screen / 12 / 17
Pottery Room / 15 / Pottery and ceramics making classes, studio space / Kiln, workbenches, pottery wheel, two belfast sinks / 10 / 15
Craft Room / 15 / Wide range of 'making' activity / Woodworking benches and tools / 10 / 15
First / Halwell / 15 / Workshops, classes, training, meetings / Tables and chairs as necessary / 6 / 12
Staverton / 15 / Workshops, classes, training, meetings / Tables and chairs as necessary / 6 / 12
Harberton / 15 / Workshops, classes, training, meetings / Tables and chairs as necessary / 6 / 12
Studio 1 / 15 / Art classes / Easels, a sink and big tables / 10 / 15
Studio 2 / 15 / Dressmaking, art classes / Tables for pattern cutting, sewing machines and easels / 10 / 15
School Hall / 80 / Events, conferences, talks, workshops, classes in dance etc / Tables and chairs / 15 / 25


Terms and Conditions

  1. A provisional booking is held for 7 days and will be released if not confirmed by paying a 50% deposit of the applicable room hire rate. Deposits are non-refundable.
  1. Final payment is due 6 weeks before the booking.
  1. In the unfortunate event that you have to cancel or postpone your confirmed booking within 4 weeks of the event you will incur a charge of 100% of the applicable room hire rate.
  1. The accommodation shall not be used for purposes other than those for which have been agreed.
  1. The hirer agrees to leave the facilities on time. We manage the room bookings and staff rotas based on the times you book and staying late can cause a great inconvenience. You will be charged for the additional hours over and above your booking.
  1. The hirer agrees to leave the areas in the same condition of cleanliness and tidiness that they were in prior to use. If additional cleaning or reorganisation is required, a charge of £25 will be made to the hirer.
  1. No nail or fastening of any kind shall be driven or put into / onto any wall, floor or partition, pillar or other fitting or furniture, nor shall any other injury or damage be done to the interior or exterior of the building.
  1. White tack ONLY may be used to secure items to the walls on a temporary basis, provided that it does not leave a mark.
  1. The hirer will not provide food or drinkwithout the prior approval of the Premises Manager.
  1. The hirer agrees to observe the health and safety regulations regarding the use of the facilities. You are required to familiarise yourself with the fire precautions in force on the premises. Fire and other exits must be kept clear at all times and fire doors kept close.
  1. It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure they have the relevant insurance, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures in place for their membership and members of the public. The hirer shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury to people or to the fixtures or fittings or furniture and other things therein belonging to the Mansion and the amount of such loss, damage or injury shall be assessed by the Premises Manager. The value of such loss, damage or injury shall include contingency to let the accommodation during the time necessary to make good such loss, damage or injury.
  1. Copies of insurance policies and risk assessments will be provided by the hirer as part of confirming this booking.
  1. The hirer agrees to report any loss or damage of the Mansion property by the hirer, their agents or guests. The costs of making good any such loss or damage will be charged to the hirer.
  1. The Mansion shall not be responsible for any property of the hirer which is damaged, destroyed, or lost through fire, accident, theft, or through any other cause whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the hirer to acquire adequate insurance to cover this.
  1. Please note that bookings confirmed more than 6 months in advance may be subject to a price increase.
  1. The Mansion reserves the right to amend the contract without obligation by reason of strike, lockout, fire, restrictions of deliveries or any other special circumstances beyond the control of the Mansion
  1. Keys and key safe codes are for the exclusive use of the lead hirer only for the duration of the booking. By signing this document you, the hirer, accepts full responsibility for the use and protection of key(s) and key safe access codes. The King Edward VI College Site Foundation reserves the right to charge hirers an additional fee for the replacement of any lost or damaged keys/key safes.

Signed:______

Organisation:______

Date:______

The King Edward VI College Site Foundation is a Charity registered with theCharityCommission of England and Wales. Charity Number 307525, operating as ‘The Mansion’. 1 Version 3July 2017