Coughton Court, was begun in 1518 by Sir George Throckmorton whose family had inherited the estate in 1409.
epThe great gatehouse with its two-storeyed oriel window survives from this time.Sir George prudently surrounded his house with a moat but this may have been regarded as a status symbol.
The late Tudor north and south wings with gabled facades were added at right angles to the gatehouse and formed a court behind it. Their half-timbered upper storeys on ground storeys of brick contrast strongly with the stonework of the gatehouse.
Originally these two ranges were joined by a third wing and the courtyard was entirely enclosed.
Coughton Court has had a troubled history.
The Throckmorton family have always been strongly Roman Catholic and they paid a high price for their faith during the reign of Elizabeth I and in the years that followed.
Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, who had been Ambassador to France, was imprisoned by the queen because of his friendship with Mary, Queen of Scots.
In 1583 his nephew was executed for his part in the 'Throckmorton Plot' to murder Elizabeth and replace her with her cousin. Throughout Elizabeth's reign, although they suffered fines and imprisonment, the Throckmortons continued to hold secret masses and to harbour priests and recusants at Coughton Court.
A canvas in the Tower Room displays the arms of all the Catholic gentry who suffered imprisonment for recusancy during Elizabeth's reign.
The Throckmorton family were not directly involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 but, according to tradition, the wives of some of the plotters gathered in the gatehouse at Coughton, in what is now the Drawing Room, to await the outcome of the affair.
The arms of Catesby and others concerned in the Plot are displayed in this room in heraldic glass.
During the Civil War the Throckmortons were staunchly Royalist.
In 1643 the house was besieged and occupied by Parliamentarian troops. They were in turn bombarded by Royalist forces. The damage was later repaired but in 1688 when King James II fled the country a Protestant mob from Alcester destroyed the entire east wing.
The Throckmortons' fortunes revived in later years and in the 1780s the stone-built Gothic wings on either side of the Gatehouse were added.
Soon after the site of the ruined east wing was cleared and the moat filled in.
The present appearance of Coughton Court was determined by Sir Charles Throckmorton, the 11th Baronet. He removed the Jacobean gables on the west front and added the battlements in 1835.
A mid-Victorian Roman Catholic chapel a few yards from the house is one of the family's last additions.
In 1946 Coughton Court was given to the National Trust by Sir Robert Throckmorton.
However, the property was leased back to the Throckmorton family who still live in the house.
The 11th Baronet restored the interior of Coughton Court in the mid-19th century without disturbing its successful blend of influences from the Tudor period onwards.
The Dining Room has exceptionally fine panelling from different periods and a magnificent chimney-piece in marble and timber. The contents of the house belong to the Throckmortons and include porcelain, furniture, tapestries and paintings. Among the family portraits is a picture of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton whose daughter Bessie Throckmorton was a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I and married Sir Walter Raleigh.
Adjoining the Dining Room is a little panelled room which contains family mementos including the shift in which Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded and locks of hair of the Old and Young Pretenders. These reflect the Throckmortons' strong Catholic faith and their allegiance to the Stuart cause.
There is also an exhibition on the Gunpowder Plot and a collection of children's costumes.
Coughton Court is surrounded by 25 acres of gardens and grounds which two churches and a lake.
Beyond the open courtyard yew-framed lawns stretch down to the River Arrow and the peaceful wooded countryside beyond. In 1992 a formal garden was created in the courtyard with designs based on an Elizabethan knot garden. In the old walled garden a new 1.5 acre garden was established in 1996. There is also a bog garden and a specially created walk along the River Arrow.
2009:21-29Mar Sat-Sun;1Apr-28Jun & 2Sep-30Sep Wed-Sun;Jul–Aug Tue-Sun;Oct-1Nov Thu-Sun 11:00-17:00. Walled garden closed Thur&Fri Oct-Nov.Closed: Gd Fri & Tues after a BankHol,13 Jun,11 Jul.Timed tickets at weekends and when busy.
Tel: 01789 762435 Infoline Coughton Court Website
