Partnering People And Property Since 1873.

It speaks volumes that Luscombe Maye has been established since 1873. When R.H Luscombe & Sons laid the foundations to the business 150 years ago, neither the property market nor Luscombe Maye has stood still. What was first established as agricultural auctioneers, land and estate agents is now a thriving business operating across sales, lettings and professional services. Fully committed to providing our clients the highest possible levels of service, we have developed a strong reputation and a highly successful brand.

With a comprehensive network of offices across the West Country our team is fundamental to everything we do. We pride ourselves on retaining the best estate and letting agents, chartered surveyors, valuers, land agents and planning consultants in the area. Our experienced professionals have an unrivalled knowledge of property and land, benefiting from being able to draw on the additional knowledge from the specialist divisions within the firm when working with our clients.

Luscombe Maye also has deep-rooted connections throughout the wider areas of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. This love, association and knowledge of the area in which we operate is invaluable and we believe it is this fundamental principle, together with the strong interpersonal and professional skills of the individuals in our business, that set us apart.

From field to farm, waterside, country and town we are motivated to constantly exceed expectations and thrive on partnering people with property.

Our History

R.H. Luscombe & Sons

In 1873 R.H. Luscombe & Sons were first established as agricultural auctioneers, land and estate agents. Their premises were at Kings Barn, Offields farm, Churchstow, in the upstairs corn chamber or granary.

Some 100 years later, during a more recent sale, in the very same barn, an original R.H. Luscombe & Sons poster was discovered still pinned to the back of the barn door.

Major Luscombe & Arthur Luscombe joined their father, R H Luscombe in the early twentieth century. Dick Luscombe, son of Arthur Luscombe, qualified as a chartered surveyor, prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and during the war, Dick was involved in the design and construction of a sham canvas Molberry harbour, built to put the Germans off the scent of the D-day landing. On returning from the war he went into partnership with his father and uncle. Mr. Walter Trant, a cousin, joined them towards the end of the 1940’s. truly a family business.

John Maye & Co

John Maye was articled to John Body in Plymouth. He eventually set up on his own in Princess Square, Plymouth, in 1901. After a few years, towards 1905, he moved to South Brent where he remained a sole practitioner until the war. He took Walter Massey, his assistant & Jack Cockrem into partnership in late 1940’s. Mr. Roger German was taken on in 1948 as pupil to Jack Cockrem, and completed his National Service with the Royal Engineers during 1955 & 1956.

Luscombe Maye & Co

Whilst Mr German was away serving his country, three of the four partners of R.H. Luscombe & Sons, Mr Trant, Arthur and Major Luscombe died. Dick Luscombe was left as the sole remaining partner. Over in South Brent at John Maye & Co, John Maye and Walter Massey were ready to retire, leaving only Jack Cockrem.

Mr German, as the only qualified employee joined the partnership in 1957. The Kingsbridge & South Brent offices were then complemented in 1957 by the addition of a third, in Plympton.

Luscombe Maye LLP

Totnes and Ivybridge offices opened in 1997/98 as the firm slowly expanded.

A merger with Bettisons’ Yealmpton and Newton Ferrers offices in 2007 increased the size of the firm, covering all property related and professional matters as depicted in this website.

In 2015 a prestigious new office in Salcombe was opened to bring the total to 8.