* Leasehold
* 9 bedrooms
* 8 reception rooms
* 5 bathrooms
* 4. 25 acres
* Period
* Communal Garden
* Detached
* Parking
* Single Garage
* Tennis Court
* Town/City
* Private Parking
* Cellar
Originally constructed in the 12th century as a Benedictine Nunnery, this
amazing building was believed to have been funded by the Fitzhardinges family,
from Berkeley Castle. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, Henry
Vlll gifted the property to John Drew of Bristol. In the late 19th century,
Barrow Court was sold to Anthony Gibbs, son of William Gibbs of Tyntesfield,
who then sold it to his brother Henry Martin Gibbs, High Sherriff of Somerset.
He largely rebuilt the Jacobean house and the church into the form you see
today.
Gibbs went on to commission the prominent British artist and garden designer
Francis Inigo Thomas to layout the much - admired Parterre and formal gardens
which featured in the 1902 edition of Country Life. During the Second World
War the property was used as a military hospital and shortly after became a
college of education from 1949 to 1976. During this time, it remained in the
Gibbs family ownership until they sold the property in 1976. Following this
sale, the Barrow Court estate was divided into seven separate dwellings.
Barrow Court is a handsome Grade II* listed country house where the principal
part of the main house, which is what is being sold, has remained one
residence since the 1970s. In 1980, the owner carried out a meticulous
restoration of the building with an ambition to revive the house to its former
glory and reinstate all the notable features. The house is filled with several
exceptional period features and striking architectural style. These include
original decorative friezes, ornate stone and wooden fireplaces, fine
ceilings, stone mullion windows, delicate plasterworks of Gothic and
Renaissance motifs, a first floor chapel and an impressive Jacobean staircase.
There is a wonderful blend of magnificent entertaining rooms, together with
more restrained spaces for family life. One of the key formal rooms is the
Great Hall with its spectacular Corinthian pillar fireplace, with Henry Gibbs
coat of arms above. Next to The Great Hall is a more intimate panelled drawing
room on a raised dais with rich arabesque patterned ceiling and decorative
frieze. The first floor panelled Solar is also remarkable in terms of detail
and design.
The first floor comprises the principal bedroom, two further bedrooms, two
dressing rooms, a music room, sitting room and two bathrooms. On the second
floor the Long Gallery, with it's beautiful wide oak floorboards, comprises of
five bedrooms, two family bathrooms, a kitchen and a number of storerooms.
Within the main house there is a further self - contained apartment and two
cellars; a wine cellar, workshop, walk - in safe and a utility room.
The impressive Grade ll listed gardens were designed and laid out by Inigo
Thomas in the 1890s and which are co - owned, extend to c. 4. 25 acres. They are
immaculately maintained and include a number of terraces, vistas, pavilions
and a notable obelisk pillar. The gardens are on descending levels leading
from a broad terrace to a pond encircled by yew hedging and flanked by formal
borders on either side. The sculptures are by Alfred Drury and an elegant
balustrade borders a large level lawn with vistas to the valley beyond.
Beyond the formal gardens is a magnificent Arboretum which is home to a
wonderful collection of mature trees including Katsura, Cypresses, Judas and
Gingko. Much of the surrounding farmland at Barrow Court is owned by members
of the Gibbs family.
Barrow Court is situated in a rural location on the outskirts of Bristol, 6. 5
miles from the city centre. The house occupies a commanding position at the
head of its long, impressive tree lined drive and is surrounded by beautiful
open countryside, much of which is still owned by descendants of the Gibbs
family.
Barrow Gurney is a charming village with an attractive village green and two
pubs. There are also primary, secondary and private schools close by, as well
as many farm shops and other amenities in the local villages. There are
excellent transports links with Bristol Temple Meads Station (6. 5 miles:
London Paddington in 90 minutes) Bristol International Airport (4 miles) and
M5 (Junction 19) (7 miles all within close proximity).

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