Baddesley Clinton

The moated manor house of Baddesley Clinton (grid reference SP199714), located just north of the historic town of Warwick in the English county of Warwickshire, was probably established sometime in the 13th century. When large areas of the Forest of Arden were cleared and eventually converted to farmland this large fortified manor house was probably also built. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the Hall is a Grade I listed building.

History

In 1438, John Brome, the Under-Treasurer of England, bought the manor. It then passed to his son, Nicholas, who is thought to have built the east range, which is the main entrance. Nicholas is also responsible for the extensive rebuilding of the nearby parish church dedicated to St. Michael, done as penance for killing the parish priest, a murder reputed to have taken place in the great house itself. The house from this period was equipped with gun-ports, and possibly a drawbridge. When Nicholas Brome died in 1517, the house passed to his daughter, who married Sir Edward Ferrers (High Sheriff of Warwickshire) in 1500. The house remained in the ownership of the Ferrers family until 1940 when it was purchased by Thomas Walker, a relative of the family who changed his name to Ferrers. His son, who inherited in 1970, sold the estate in 1980 to the National Trust, who now manage it.

Henry Ferrers "The Antiquary" (1549–1633) made many additions to Baddesley Clinton, including starting the tradition of stained glass representing the family's coat of arms. Such glass now appears in many of the public rooms in the house. He is likely responsible for building the great hall. In the 18th century the great hall was rebuilt in brick, and the east range was extended, though with great care to continue the style of the original building.

In the 19th century, the house's Catholic chapel was rebuilt, along with a general refurbishment of the house. Major interior changes took place up until the 1940s, with the first floor outside the chapel being completely altered.

The house as it now exists has extensive formal gardens and ponds, with many of the farm buildings dating back to the 18th century. St. Michael's church, which shares much history with the house is just a few hundred yards up a lane. Inside the house are a beautiful great hall, parlour and library, amongst other rooms, and there is a great deal of 16th century carving and furniture to be seen, as well as the 19th century accessories the later inhabitants used.

Baddesley Clinton and Catholicism

The Ferrers appear to have remained Roman Catholic Recusants after the Reformation, along with many other members of the Warwickshire gentry. They sheltered Catholic priests, who were under the threat of a death sentence if discovered, and made special provision to hide and protect them. Several priest holes were built, secret passages to hide people in the event of a search. One hole is off the Moat Room, and is simply a small room with a door hidden in the wood panelling. A second leads into the ceiling, and though not visible to visitors, is reputed to hold six people. A third is hidden in an old toilet. Fugitives could slide down a rope from the first floor through the old garderobe shaft into the house's former sewers, which run the length of the building, and could thus probably hold at least a dozen people. These priest holes are said to have been built by Saint Nicholas Owen, a lay-brother of the Jesuits who made many masterful hides, notably at nearby Harvington Hall. He was eventually caught and tortured to death by the Protestant English government. The hides came into use at least once, in 1591 when a conference of Jesuit priests was raided by local authorities. They did their job, as no-one was caught.

References

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Edoardo de Pantz
4 June 2018
Amazing manor, full of history and great conditions. Kind people all volunteer, well organized.
Carl Griffin
27 December 2015
Beautiful moated Elizabethan manor. Contains three cramped priest holes. Run by the National Trust.
Eugene Korni
13 December 2014
Quiet lovely house and park. Zen place in the middle of England
David Morton
13 November 2011
The ducks will be very pleased to share your picnic, pack an extra sandwich!
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.4/10
Ekaterina Mikheeva and 1,368 more people have been here
Map
0.8km from Haywood Lane, Solihull, Warwickshire B93 0DG, UK Get directions
Mon-Sun 11:00 AM–4:00 PM

Baddesley Clinton on Foursquare

Baddesley Clinton on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Wroxall Abbey Hotel & Estate

starting $90

Honiley Court Hotel

starting $119

The Greswolde Arms Hotel by Good Night Inns

starting $113

Hogarths Hotel and Restaurant

starting $194

Best Western Henley-in-Arden Hotel

starting $120

Honiley Court Hotel & Conference Centre

starting $135

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth Castle is a castle located in Kenilworth, Warwickshire,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle (Шаблон:Pron-en Шаблон:Respell, like warren Шаблон:Audi

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) is a large theatre owned by the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Stratford Butterfly Farm

Stratford Butterfly Farm is a visitor attraction in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower

The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower (grid reference SP048835)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Big Brum

Big Brum is the local name for the clock tower on the Council House,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Oxford Canal

The Oxford Canal is a 78 miles (126 km) long narrow canal in central E

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Senjōgahara

Senjōgahara (戦場ヶ原) is a 4 square kilometres area in Tochigi Prefectu

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Old Port of Montreal

The Old Port of Montreal (French: Vieux-Port de Montréal) is the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Trocadéro

The Trocadéro, (Шаблон:IPA-fr), site of the Palais de Chaillot, Шаблон

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Prime meridian (Greenwich)

The prime meridian is a geographical reference line that passes

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Budapest Castle Hill Funicular

The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló is a funicular r

See all similar places