Bourton House
| Bourton House | |
| Gloucestershire | |
|---|---|
 Bourton House and the knot garden | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP17733246 |
| Location: | 51°59’25"N, 1°44’35"W |
| Village: | Bourton-on-the-Hill |
| History | |
| Country house | |
| Information | |
| Website: | www.bourtonhouse.com |
Bourton House is an 18th century manor house in Bourton-on-the-Hill amongst the Cotswolds, in Gloucestershire. The house is a private house, though the gardens are opened up to visitors in season and it has become a popular visitor attraction.
The house is found two miles west of Moreton-in-Marsh, off the A44 at Bourton-on-the-Hill. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
Bourton House Garden opened to the public for the first time on a single Sunday in 1987 in aid of the National Garden Scheme. It was developed further thereafter, winning the Historic Houses Association ‘Garden of the Year’ Award in 2007. In 2013, the garden received the Cotswolds Tourism ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ silver award.
History
Bourton House and its brewhouse, stables and coach house were built on monastic lands and have created a courtyard since the late 16th century. The Grade I listed Tithe Barn preserves the dedication stone of 1570 with the initials RP for the then owner, Richard Palmer.
The house itself was rebuilt as a foursquare Jacobean house by the eminent lawyer, Sir Nicholas Overbury in 1598. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Jacobean style was unfashionable and the house was once again rebuilt on the earlier footprint by Alexander Popham, the grandson of a Cromwellian general. This house was taken down to its lower ground floor but the whimsical towers retained, the slits replaced by generous Georgian sash windows. The architect remains unknown. This setting has remained unchanged for over three hundred years.
The lands originally belonging to the manor were sold in 1851 by Sir James Buller East MP, to the neighbouring Sezincote estate. Today Bourton House is surrounded by its immediate three-acre garden and a seven-acre walled pasture, now given over to specimen trees.
In 1953 the house and land were sold at auction and there followed a quick succession of six owners until 1983 when the house was acquired by Mr & Mrs R Paice, who set about transforming the neglected garden over a twenty five years, to produce what is now a visitor attraction.
The garden
From 1983, Mr & Mrs R Paice began the task of turning a neglected wilderness into the perfect garden setting for the courtyard of ancient Cotswold stone buildings.
Topiary was introduced including a knot garden, parterre and topiary walk; natural springs used to create water features; an unusual shade house constructed and ever wider herbaceous borders created to accommodate more exotica.
In 2010, Bourton House Garden was sold again, but remains a visitor attraction opened opened for the enjoyment of garden visitors.
Today, the garden continues to evolve, constantly surprising visitors with its inspirational planting, stunning colour combinations and rare, unusual and exotic plants.
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1089559: Bourton House