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 / 52.028600; -2.081800Coordinates: 52°01′43″N 2°04′54″W / 52.028600°N 2.081800°W / 52.028600; -2.081800
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 (16491722). 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 19181949, 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

External links

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