Owlpen Manor is a romantic grey limestone Tudor manor house set in a remote wooded valley in the Cotswolds.
A house stood here in medieval times and a remnant of this survives in the east wing of the present L-shaped building.
The estate passed by marriage to the Daunt family in 1464 and at some time between 1542 and 1573 the present south-facing range was constructed. This was probably built on the site of the original hall and has a wide triangular gable on the top floor and mullioned windows.
The parlour block to the west, with bay windows, was built in 1616. In 1719 - 21 the service end of the hall was remodelled by Thomas Daunt with sash windows and Georgian panelling in the interior.
Owlpen Manor's main facade therefore has a charming mixture of architectural styles.
A formal garden to the south of the house, with terraces and magnificent yew hedges, was also laid out by Thomas Daunt.
The Daunts had estates in Ireland and after 1770 Owlpen was practically abandoned by the family, and their successors the Stoughtons, for 150 years. Although the house fell into picturesque decay it fortunately escaped 19th century 'improvements'.
Owlpen was rescued in 1925 by Norman Jewson who was a follower of Ernest Gimson, an architect and furniture designer inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. Jewson carefully restored Owlpen as his own residence using the 'conservative' principles first advocated by William Morris.
The house changed hands two more times before being acquired by the present owners in 1974.
Mr and Mrs Nicholas Mander have kept the interior much as it was in Jewson's time and have furnished it with appropriate furniture and paintings. The couple have also recreated the formal 18th century garden to the south of the house. The complex of buildings at Owlpen Manor includes the 19th century church, a mill with a unusual cupola and a medieval barn.
Entering the house through the east (service) wing, the craftsmanship in the interior has the pleasing range periods so admired by the Arts and Crafts movement. In the Hall there is plasterwork by Gimson, a settle by Jewson's father-in-law, Sidney Barnsley and some good 17th century furniture. The Little Parlour, reached through a classical doorway dated 1719 - 21, is furnished with 18th century English pieces. The Oak Parlour on the other side of the Hall has some early panelling.
Upstairs, the former great chamber (now a bedroom) contains unique 17th century painted cloth wall hangings depicting the story of Joseph from the Old Testament.
From the Hall the visitor can see the south front and the walled garden sloping down the valley. At the bottom of the garden there is a pair of early-18th century pier gates leading to the stream beyond.
2008: Open: May-Sept Tue, Thur and Sun, no Bank Holiday Opening. Gardens open from 12:00-17:00; Manor House from 14:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Tel: 01453-860261 Owlpen Manor Website
