Cothay Manor, Somerset: Britain's Finest Small Medieval House
Built around 1480, Cothay Manor in Somerset has been hailed as Britain's finest small medieval house.
Located in Stawley, near Wellington, Somerset, Cothay Manor boasts a distinguished status as a grade one listed medieval house and gardens.
Spanning nearly 40 acres, the estate encompasses cottages, outbuildings, stables, and 12 acres of meticulously curated gardens.
Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr starred in the film ‘Dolittle’ as the eccentric physician who can talk to animals, and he filmed a number of scenes at this impressive nine-bedroom mansion.
Recognised for its historical significance, the manor is Grade I listed on the National Heritage List for England, with its gate piers and wall at the north entrance designated Grade II.
Throughout its rich history, dating back to the early 14th century, the manor has been associated with notable families such as the de Cothay and Bluett families, with the latter becoming lords of the manor of Holcombe Rogus in Devon and Greenham Barton in the early 15th century.
Constructed circa 1480, the manor stands out for its exceptional preservation, hailed as a remarkably intact ensemble of buildings predating 1500 in England.
During the medieval period, the rent for the land surrounding the manor was symbolised by a pair of silver spurs and a rose.
Marking the conclusion of the Cousins' Wars, Richard Bluett, then the lord of the manor, planted a red rose (representing Lancashire) and a white rose (symbolising Yorkshire) on the terrace, following the Tudor rose iconography of the era.
Renowned historian Christopher Hussey described the manor house as "the most perfect small 15th-century country house that survives in the Kingdom" in his 1927 article for Country Life.
In early June 2020, the property was listed for sale at £5 million, and it sold in October 2020 to its new owners for £5.25M.
The Gardens
The romance of Cothay lies in part to its great age and the atmosphere that surrounds it.
In medieval times, the rent for the land surrounding the manor was a rose and a pair of silver spurs payable at Christmas and on the feast of St. John the Baptist, which falls on mid-summer’s day.
Legend has it that to celebrate the end of the Wars of the Roses, a red and a white rose were planted on the terrace by Richard Bluett, the then lord of the manor, who enlarged Cothay in the 15th Century.
The legend and gesture continue to this day, for you can still see the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York flowering today.
The Gardens at Cothay open on the first Sunday in April when you should see thousands of white tulips heralding the season, like an army of white angels marching through the garden.
In the summer months, the glory of this ancient place is at its best.
Twelve acres of magical gardens surround the manor. Many garden rooms, each a garden in itself, are set off a 200 yard yew walk.
In addition, fine trees, cottage garden, courtyards, and a river walk; a plantsman’s paradise.
The gardens have achieved the highest accolade of two stars in the Good Garden Guide and in June 2012 featured in the Daily Telegraph’s ’20 Best Gardens in Britain’.
The house has now been sold and the Gardens will have a bright future with the new owners.
History of the property
Between 1937 and 1947, Sir Francis Cook, 4th Baronet, owned the property, which served as a repository for his renowned art collection during World War II, though it was dispersed post-war.
Afterwards, it became the residence of Edward du Cann, Member of Parliament for Taunton, who subsequently sold it to Alastair and Mary-Anne Robb in 1993.
Mary-Anne Robb's great-grandmother, a noted plant hunter, lends her name to the Wood Spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides 'var. robbiae', affectionately dubbed "Mrs. Robb's Bonnet" due to her ingenious smuggling of it through customs concealed in her hat.
The Robbs embarked on extensive renovations, rejuvenating the gardens based on the original Cooper structure while also introducing new features such as a bog garden in the Oxbow, an Arboretum, and a wildflower meadow.
In the book "England’s Thousand Best Houses" (2003), Simon Jenkins bestowed Cothay with four out of five stars, praising its authentic medieval interiors as "of incomparable value."
During 2008 and 2009, Cothay Manor took centre stage in a Channel 4 television program hosted by hotelier Ruth Watson as part of her Country House Rescue series.
In the inaugural episode, concerns were voiced by the owners regarding the operational expenses of the manor and a hefty £1 million tax bill.
Watson offered guidance on enhancing revenue streams from visitors to the manor and its gardens by bolstering its commercial appeal.
Reflecting on their experience in an interview from August 2011, the Robbs acknowledged incorporating some of Watson's suggestions discussed during the "revisited" episode aired in November 2009, while also infusing new ideas imbued with "a little bit more soul, spirit, and meaning."
Following the passing of Alastair Robb in December 2015, ownership of the property remained within the family's hands.
On TripAdvisor, someone said: “Amazing place hidden in the Somerset countryside. Peaceful location with beautiful garden.
”This is a private home, so often the owners are working in the garden and are full of knowledge about the manor and its history.”
Another person added: “This place is just magical - a stunningly beautiful medieval house that rises from its surroundings and nestled deep in the countryside.
”English history at its most intriguing - it is also a much loved family home, laid back and unpretentious - the owner gave us a wonderful tour of the house and its artefacts.
"“Beautiful and much loved antiques and such an interesting guide in the form of the ‘chatelaine’ as she described herself.
”The cafe serves lovely food - a limited but super menu - altogether magical / we shall go back".
Check out more photos of the interior below, courtesy of Knight Frank Estate Agents.
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