Barrington Court
Ilminster, Somerset
Barrington
Near Ilminster
Ilminster
Somerset
TA19 0NQ
Approx 11.38 miles from The Mount Somerset Hotel & Spa
Thought to have been completed in 1560, Barrington Court has led a chequered history. Having housed some very wealthy members of society, by the time the National Trust acquired the property, the only inhabitants were chickens.
The manor house that stands at Barrington Court is believed to have been completed by 1560, although there is evidence that this was by no means the first house to stand in its place - in fact the site was recorded in the Domesday Book.
Built from locally quarried Ham Stone, the architecture of the house is a mix of different styles. Built as an elaborate display of wealth and showmanship, the result is a blend of English Gothic and Continental Renaissance, which served no purpose other than to reflect the owner's wealth and taste.
The house was built over a period of 22 years, and by two owners. Building commenced in around 1538 by the newly promoted Earl of Bridgwater, to reflect his new-found status. However, by the time the Earl died in 1548, he had fallen from grace and left bankrupt. The next owner, William Clifton, continued to oversee the building works, and the house was finally finished just over two decades later.
Map
Nearby Eden Hotels
The Mount Somerset Hotel & Spa, Taunton, Somerset (approx 11.38 miles)
