Image Ref : DS 0020.tif

The Naval Bank, Totnes

The Naval Bank, 16 High Street. A branch of this private bank opened here in 1896. It closed in 1914 when the partners became insolvent due to a fall in value of securities following outbreak of WW1. In February 1916, as part of realisation of assets, the premises were sold to Barclay & Co Ltd., as the banks were then known. The adjoining building was purchased in 1966 and the two properties combined to form the bank. Barclays Bank closed in June 2018. In 2019 it became a coffee shop. 16 High Street was built in 1585 by Nicholas Ball, although there has been a building on the site since medieval times. In 1574 Nicholas married Anne Carew who came from Bristol and they had seven children. This building is said to be one of the oldest of the finest examples in England of an Elizabethan town house. The facade is dated "1585" and bears Nicholas Ball's initials with a modified family crest. ***