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Original Text (Annotation: EPW023989 / 213057)
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The Coastguard Station designed in 1873 are Grade II listed buildings and contains linking steps to the lifeboat boathouse on the beach.
The whole Station, comprising a row of eight terraced coastguard cottages, a pair of Petty Officer's cottages, an Officer's House, the rocket cart house and wash house, coal sheds and W.C.s, the boundary wall, and steps providing access to the boathouse was built for the Admiralty and is a unique collection of its type.
The 1841 census records that there were four coastguards and their families living in Budleigh Salterton. They were employed by the Admiralty and wore uniforms, taking part in prescribed drills and training. In 1872, it was agreed that a new Coastguard Station should be built on land owned by Lord Rolle, linked to a boathouse on the seafront by a set of brick steps. The building plans for the site, drawn up by the Devonport-based assistant civil engineer to the Admiralty, John Haite are dated 20 February 1873.
The Station performed anti-smuggling, lifesaving and Naval reserve functions and was manned by the paid service personnel who lived on site. It is reported that in 1890 there were eleven men and one officer manning the Coastguard Station. During the First World War the coastguards were called up for naval duties and the station was taken over by volunteers.
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