Barrow Court

Houses of this quality and historical value are largely owned by the National Trust, as is true of the nearby Tyntesfied Estate, built by the Uncle of Henry Gibbs and still visible from the windows of Barrow court today. They are rarely in private ownership and equally rarely in such quality and originality.

When the whole Estate was divided up in the 1970’s, planning permission was given for 18 residences to be created out of the various parts of the main house, livery yard, barns and cottages. Planning was granted for the division of the main house into 7 separate dwellings. Three of these make up the portion of the Estate being sold today. The current owner thankfully decided it would be a travesty to divide up the principal part for the main house and purchased 3 ‘parts’ of the main dwelling and has kept them as one residence ever since.

Once purchased in 1980, the owner set about a meticulous and extensively planned restoration of the house, which has continued to the present day. He was careful to be true to the original design and quality, but has combined this with modern needs and facilities.

The house was clearly designed as a statement of wealth and eminence by Henry Gibbs, and no expense was spared in the use of the very best craftsmen of the day, along with striking architectural style and exuberance. The quality and detail throughout is jaw dropping.

The house has extensive space of over 12,000 sq ft, with tremendous entertaining rooms and a number of more intimate spaces for family life.

One of the key rooms is the astonishing Great Hall which is a wonderful introduction to the house, with its striking Corinthian pillar fireplace, with Henry Gibbs coat of arms above. Just off The Great Hall is a more intimate panelled Parlour on a raised dais with rich arabesque patterned ceiling and decorative frieze.

Heavily decorative friezes and fine ceilings continue throughout all the principal rooms, with none more impressive than in the first floor panelled Great Chamber or Solar. Designed as the private family living quarters, the room enjoys exceptional light and views over the gardens, as well a plethora of detail.

The notable Jacobean staircase is a true work of art with fine plasterwork ceilings in the style of Gothic and Renaissance motifs and a large drop pendant above the stairs. There are further unique and extravagant features such as the Aviary compete with working metal bi-fold shutters.

The principal living quarters include the main Bedroom, ‘his & hers’ Dressing Rooms, Music Room and Sitting Room as well as Bathroom. There is even a private Chapel on the first floor from which is exquisite. Seven further Bedrooms over the first and second floor ensure that every family need well catered for.

There is an internal self-contained Apartment ideal for living-in help, or dependents. There are two cellars; one is a large wine cellar and the other acts as the Utility Room housing the pressurised water system and boilers.

Historical Synopsis:
Originally constructed in the 12th century as a Benedictine Nunnery, the building was believed to have been funded by the FitzHardinges family, from Berkeley Castle. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, Henry the Vlll gifted the property to John Drew of Bristol. It was John Drew who turned it into a private mansion and gave it its name. Two further families added their own influences during the next 300 years when it passed to various members of those two owners, particularly Dr James Frances and William Gore.

In the late 19th century it was brought by Anthony Gibbs, son of William Gibbs of Tyntesfield, who then sold it to his brother Henry Martin Gibbs, High Sherriff of Somerset. He largely rebuilt the Jacobean house and the church into the form you see today.

Gibb’s went on to commission the eminent British artist and garden designed - Francis Inigo Thomas to layout the Parterre and formal gardens.

During the Second World War the property was used as a military hospital. It became a college of education from 1949 to 1976 but remained in the Gibbs family ownership until they sold it in 1976. At this time, the house was divided into several separate dwellings.

Members of Gibbs family still own much of the surrounding farmland.
Outside

The house is approached via a long single-track lane, through a stone archway onto the long tree-lined private driveway.

The formal, Grade ll listed gardens, which were designed and laid out by Indigo Thomas in the 1890s, total some 4.25 acres. There are terraces, vistas, pavilions and notable obelisk pilllar.

The gardens are on descending levels from a broad terrace to a pond encircled by yew and flanked by formal beds on either side. The sculptures are by Alfred Drury, the most important of which are the twelve daughters of the year each decorated with flowers appropriate to the month. An elegant balustrade borders a large lawn with vistas to the valley beyond.

The grounds then continue into the Arboretum. This is now a mature area with a collection of late C19 trees including Katsura, Cypresses, Judas and Gingko.

Situation

Barrow Court enjoys a first class setting on the outskirts of Bristol, only 6.5 miles from the centre of town and Bristol Temple Meads (trains to London Paddington in 90 minutes). Bristol International Airport is 4 miles away.

The house is surrounded by open countryside, much of it is still owned by descendant of the Gibbs family. The grounds are well-maintained with a mix of property styles and sizes. The Barrow Court community is well regarded.

There are primary, secondary and private schools close by, as well as many farm shops and other amenities in the local villages.

Additional Information

Tenure: Leasehold - 954 years remaining
Local Authority: North Somerset Council
Council Tax: Band H
Services: Private drainage, oil central heating, mains electric, private water.
Service charge: This include water, buildings insurance, gardening, maintenance, etc for the communal grounds and the formal garden, arboretum and spinney = £1,387.89 per month / £16,654.68 pa

Marketed by: Hamptons Sales, Bristol