Almondsbury Court Farm

Description

A small group of fortified manors on the clay soils north of Bristol, mainly the homes of lesser Gloucestershire gentry at at Acton Court, Almondsbury Court Farm, and Yate Court. ... the entrance range of Court Farm, Almondsbury, a manor of St Augustine's, Bristol, 7 miles westwards, is a near contemporary of Olveston Court. The gatehouse at Court Farm is less elaborate of Olveston, with a side room, unheated chamber above with external stair, and end lodging. It is attributed to abbot Newbury (1428-73) and, according to Smyth, before his deposition between 1451 and 1456. The added wing and chamber over the gate were added about 50 years later by abbot Newland (1481-1515). The site was moated and retains the foundations of a polygonal tower at the end of a devalued range, converted into a house in 1985. (Emery)

Farmhouse, now house. C16 with later alterations. Rubble with stone dressings and quoins, brick, pantiled roof with brick gable to south and central stack. 4-room plan with rear, probably dairy, wing with C17 and C19 rear additions. 2 storeys and 5 windows, including 2-bay stable wing to left, 1st floor has two 6-light stone hollow-chamfered mullion and transom casements with leaded lights, and blocked window with timber lintel to right, ground floor has C20 casements with timber lintel to left, C17 porch in 2nd bay from right has stone bull's eye window and door with strap hinges, C19 single storey brick outbuilding to right containing well, stable wing to left has blocked cart entry under timber lintel with inserted door, 2 1st floor C19 casements and 2 attic mullioned windows. Rear has random C19 and C20 windows. Interior: doors in chamfered stone surrounds, stopped beams, single-light splayed window openings in hall to right of former through passage. (Listed Building Report)

Comments

Quite how 'fortified' this manor house was may be open to question. It does seem to have been, at least partially, moated but the gatehouse was remarkably plain.