Nestling in the fertile Vale of Taunton at Greenham, just north of Wellington, is Somerset's own architectural gem, Cothay Manor.
Built on the site of an original 12th century hall house in the 1480s, it has remained largely unchanged apart from the addition of a small Renaissance dining room at the end of the Elizabethan period and a few rooms in a private wing added in the 20th century.
Although the Manor had an interesting past under the Blewett and Every families, by the early 20th century it was little more than a sadly neglected “farmhouse”. Its saviour was Colonel Reginald Cooper, a career diplomat who served in Istanbul with Harold Nicolson (Sissinghurst) and Gerald Wellesley (Stratfield Saye) and who had already restored Cold Ashton, near Bath.
Retiring to England in 1925, he bought Cothay Manor and spent the next decade restoring it before moving on in 1936.
Cooper retained the typical medieval structure of the Gatehouse, Inner Court, Porch and Screens Passage from where you can enter the Great Hall with its arch braced roof and Minstrels Gallery. From here there is access to the remainder of the Manor, including the Gold Room, the Oratory, the Guest Chamber, the Book Room (library), Georgian Hall and Great Chamber.
The present owners, Mr and Mrs Robb, have lovingly restored the furniture and fabrics, enhancing to great effect the original carvings, panelling, stained glass and 15th century wall paintings. All this has been achieved not as some museum piece but as a living and working household.
As well as the fine house, there is an exquisite garden, restored within the framework set out by Reginald Cooper in the 1920s. Leading off the ancient 200-yard yew walk is a series of garden rooms, each providing a garden within itself. These are complemented by the beautiful “bog garden” and river walk.
We are sometimes inclined to neglect what is on our doorstep. This is a visit not to be missed!
Jim Clifford