Kemerton Court
| Kemerton Court | |
|---|---|
 Kemerton Court: baroque west façade | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Country house |
| Architectural style | English Baroque |
| Location | Kemerton, Worcestershire |
| Town or city | Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 52°01′43″N 2°04′54″W / 52.028600°N 2.081800°W |
| Construction started | Late 16th century |
| Completed | Early 18th century |
| Owner | Adrian Darby, OBE |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Cotswold stone |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 30 July 1959 |
| Reference no. | 1349953 |
Kemerton Court is the principal manor house of the village of Kemerton, near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.
The house is built of local Cotswold stone, dating from the late 16th century onwards. In the early 18th century a 9-bay baroque façade of some elegance was added by the squire, John Parsons III (1649–1722). Thomas White of Worcester has been suggested as the architect. It is a Grade II* listed building. [1]
Kemerton Court is set in parkland and is surrounded by a farming estate of around 1,300 acres (5.3 km2). It is owned by conservationist Adrian Darby OBE, president of Plantlife and former chairman of the RSPB. He is married to Lady Meriel Darby, daughter of the former Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, 14th Earl of Home, who was a frequent visitor to the Court.
History
The manor was granted by King Henry III to Sir Robert de Musgrove (or Mucegros) in 1240. Since that time, apart from the brief period 1918–1949, it has remained in the possession of his descendants and their relatives, passing through the families of Beauchamp, Lygon of Madresfield, Parsons-Hopton and Darby. The current owner is 24th in direct descent from Sir Robert de Musgrove. A celebrated 15th century owner was John Beauchamp, 1st Baron Beauchamp of Powick, Lord High Treasurer of England.
References
- ^ "Kemerton Court: List Entry Number 1349953". Historic England. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- Lees-Milne, J. (1985). English Country Houses: Baroque, 1685-1715.
- Reid, P. (1980). Burke’s & Savills Guide to Country Houses, Vol 2.
- Mowl, Timothy (2006). Historic Gardens of Worcestershire.
- Elrington, C.R. ed. (1968). Victoria County History: A History of the County of Gloucester, Volume VIII.
- Pevsner, N. & Brooks, A. (2007). Worcestershire: The Buildings of England