Barrow Court, Bristol, BS48

An Architectural and Historical Landmark of Exceptional Grandeur.

Step into a piece of English history at Barrow Court, a magnificent Grade II* listed country house that dates back to the 12th century. Originally built as a Benedictine nunnery, this stunning residence has undergone numerous transformations throughout the centuries, all while retaining its timeless elegance and architectural significance.

The home’s rich past includes ownership by John Drew, a Bristol merchant who received the property from King Henry VIII following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In the late 19th century, the estate was meticulously restored and expanded by Henry Martin Gibbs, who transformed it into the Jacobean masterpiece that stands today. Under his ownership, the renowned garden designer Francis Inigo Thomas was commissioned to design the spectacular Parterre and formal gardens, which remain a defining feature of the setting.

Barrow Court has also attracted cultural interest in more recent years. Its striking architecture and historic authenticity led to the property being featured in the acclaimed BBC drama Wolf Hall, where it served as the stand-in for Hampton Court Palace, highlighting its remarkable period character and cinematic presence.

No.1–3 Barrow Court forms the principal portion of the historic Barrow Court Estate, which was thoughtfully divided into a collection of private residences in the 1970s. While the estate now comprises a small enclave of around nineteen homes, this property occupies the most architecturally significant and imposing section of the original mansion. Its position within the estate allows it to retain the presence, scale, and grandeur of a stately home, while benefiting from a tranquil, community-like setting.

The home underwent a sensitive restoration in the 1980s, carefully reviving its many period details. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by an array of exceptional architectural features: intricate plasterwork, stone mullioned windows, stately fireplaces, the remarkable Jacobean staircase, and decorative friezes. The magnificent Great Hall is a centrepiece of the property, showcasing its impressive Corinthian fireplace and the Gibbs family coat of arms.

The formal reception rooms offer a balance of majestic entertaining spaces and more intimate family rooms. Highlights include the raised drawing room, adorned with rich panelling and an arabesque ceiling, and the first-floor Solar, an exquisite example of historic craftsmanship.

The first floor hosts a grand principal bedroom suite, alongside additional bedrooms, a music room, and sitting rooms, all with superb period detailing. The second floor features the Long Gallery, complete with wide oak floorboards, and is home to further bedrooms, family bathrooms, and a kitchen. A self-contained apartment and two cellars, including a wine cellar, complete the accommodation.

Outside, the Grade II listed gardens, co-designed by Inigo Thomas, extend over 4.25 acres of manicured lawns, terraces, and pavilions. The grounds offer stunning vistas over the surrounding countryside, an elegant obelisk, and statues by Alfred Drury. A lush Arboretum filled with rare and mature trees provides a peaceful retreat. The long, tree-lined driveway enhances the sense of arrival and exclusivity, while the wider rural surroundings remain largely in the ownership of the Gibbs family descendants.

Located just 6.5 miles from Bristol’s city centre, No.1–3 Barrow Court offers a peaceful rural setting with excellent access to Bristol Temple Meads, the M5, and a selection of highly regarded schools, farm shops, and country pubs.

This is a rare opportunity to own the most significant part of one of North Somerset’s finest historic estates, a home where history, elegance, and luxury converge in a truly remarkable way.