The story of Richard Adams and Combe House began in 2002 when Ken and Ruth Hunt who had just taken over Combe House, saw an image by Richard Adams of a busy Georgian Kitchen. They fell in love with Richard’s work and the timing was serendipitous, they had just completed the restoration of the Georgian Kitchen. To celebrate the achievement Ken and Ruth commissioned Richard Adams to produce a picture inspired by their own Kitchen, filled with the staff members of that time.
Richard visited Combe House to make sketches for the commission and in wandering the house, gardens and grounds he gained inspiration for a whole series of images. After his first exhibition there in 2003 an autumn exhibition became a feature of the Combe calendar.
2003 Flavours of the Harvest
2004 Enchanted Picnics
2005 A Little Magic in the Kitchen
2006 Behind the Scenes
2007 Ark
2008 Country Maids
2009 Cabbages and Things
2010 Bringing the Harvest Home
2011 Home to Roost
2012 Hideaways
2013 Mellow Fruit
2014 Feels Like Devon
Each year one of Richard's images was used on Combe House's Christmas card, to celebrate the year's project or event. These pictures used to hang in the House and are pictured above. The 2010 image was made into a giclée print; Combe House - Bringing the Harvest Home shows a grand view of the house, grounds and surrounding countryside; a blend of fact and fantasy showing Combe life. It is a joyous ride through the ages celebrating the sustainable hospitality offered by Combe House, the fun and romance this special place exuded.
In 2015 Combe House became The Pig under new ownership. Richard's pictures are no longer hanging in the house.