Exploring Wayford Manor House in Somerset

Wayford Manor House in Somerset is a must-visit destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. It's nestled in the heart of the county, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery.

The manor house dates back to the 16th century, with its origins tracing back to the Tudor period. This means it's steeped in history and offers a unique glimpse into the past.

One of the most striking features of Wayford Manor House is its impressive façade, which boasts a beautiful stone exterior and ornate details. Its grandeur is a testament to the wealth and status of its former owners.

As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, with high ceilings and large windows that flood the space with natural light.

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Wayford Manor House has a rich history dating back to the 1600s. It was rebuilt around 1600 by Charles Daubeney, likely with the help of master mason William Arnold.

The house has undergone some changes over the years, with the north wing being completed by Sir Ernest George in 1900. This addition likely brought a new level of elegance to the estate.

Wayford Manor House is also notable for its beautiful gardens, which are a great representation of the Arts and Crafts style. They're a good and mostly intact example of a formal terraced garden, laid out on the site of an earlier garden and accompanied by a Japanese rock garden and woodland garden.

The site is well-documented, and it's clear that the design and planting scheme were highly respected in its time.

Wayford Manor is a remarkable example of a well-designed garden. It's a Grade II listed site on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

One of the key reasons for its designation is that it's a representative example of a formal terraced garden laid out in the Arts and Crafts style. This style is characterized by its use of natural materials and emphasis on craftsmanship.

The garden is also notable for being well-documented, which provides valuable insights into its design and planting scheme. This documentation has helped to showcase the qualities of the garden that were respected by contemporary critics.

The site's association with a Japanese rock garden and woodland garden adds to its significance, making it a unique and fascinating place to explore. The combination of different garden styles creates a rich and varied experience for visitors.

Here are the key reasons for Wayford Manor's designation:

The 18th-20th centuries were a time of significant change for Wayford Manor.

In 1791, the manor belonged to John Bagg of Thorncombe.

Lawrence Ingham Baker, a JP, purchased Wayford Manor in 1899.

He commissioned Sir Ernest George to complete the north wing of the house around 1900.

Baker's son, Humphrey, inherited the manor in 1931.

Humphrey continued to develop the woodland garden with the advice of Eric Savill, who had expertise in garden design.

Wayford Manor was sold after Humphrey's death in 1966.

Wayford Manor House is situated in a picturesque village setting, nestled in the countryside. It's located approximately 3km south-west of Crewkerne.

The site is relatively small, covering about 2ha of land. A stone wall marks the northern boundary of the site, separating it from Park Lane.

Wayford Manor is situated in a beautiful location with a unique landform. The site slopes steeply from north to south, allowing extensive views south and south-east across the valley of the River Axe.

The village of Wayford is home to the parish church of St Michael, which is located just 50m east of the manor. This church is a notable landmark in the area.

The site is bounded by stone walls and holly hedges, which separate it from nearby buildings and agricultural land. A stone wall to the north separates it from Park Lane, while walls and a holly hedge to the west divide it from Wayford Farm.

The site's proximity to the River Axe creates a picturesque setting, with the river valley visible from the manor's vantage point.

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The gardens and grounds of this estate are a true delight. The kitchen garden is situated on a south-facing slope, making it the perfect spot for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.

The garden is approached through a door in the east wall of the loggia, and from the house to the north. It's separated from the orchard and paddock to the east by fences.

A series of rectangular vegetable beds are separated by grass paths, making it easy to navigate and tend to the different plants. The beds are edged with grass, which helps to keep the soil healthy and retain moisture.

A group of brick-edged herb beds is situated beneath the south-facing wall at the upper or northern end of the garden. This is a great spot for growing herbs like rosemary and thyme, which love the full sun.

The garden is also home to a late-C20 metal glasshouse, which provides a warm and sheltered spot for starting seeds and growing tender plants. I've had great success with growing tomatoes and cucumbers in a similar setup.

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The western boundary wall of the garden is lined with a group of sheds, stores, and bothies, which are perfect for storing tools and equipment. The south-facing slope of the paddock to the east of the garden is a great spot for growing fruit trees and other plants that love full sun.

Two mature standard fruit trees and a group of mature hazels survive in this area, providing a beautiful and productive landscape feature.

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Wayford Manor House has a rich history, and its building is a testament to the craftsmanship of its past inhabitants. The main building is constructed in Ham stone ashlar.

The house has a unique 'E' shaped plan with projecting wings flanking a central porch. This design feature is attributed to the master mason William Arnold.

Built to last, the house has two storeys and an attic under hipped stone slate roofs. It's lit by mullion and transom windows, which provide a beautiful and functional touch.

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The 15th-16th century was a significant time for the manor of Wayford. James Daubeney, a member of a leading west country family, acquired the manor through marriage in the late 15th century.

The Daubeney family would go on to own the property for over a century. James' grandson, Giles Daubeney, rebuilt the existing manor house at Wayford around 1600.

Giles Daubeney likely used a master mason named William Arnold, who also worked on notable projects like Cranborne Manor and Montacute.

Wayford Manor is approached from Park Lane to the north, at a point about 100m west of the parish church.

The entrance is set in the stone boundary wall that separates the gardens from Park Lane, and features a pair of Ham stone ashlar piers with pyramid caps and inset rectangular ornamental panels of flint-work.

These piers support a pair of timber carriage gates that lead to a wide gravelled drive descending southwards towards the carriage turn to the west of the house.

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The drive is flanked to the east by a stone wall that extends about 20m to terminate in a tall pier surmounted by a ball finial.

A topiary yew hedge encloses the Iris Garden to the west, and a short length of high stone wall forms part of the buildings of Wayford Farm.

The carriage turn comprises a rectangular area of gravel to the west of which is a camomile lawn enclosed by a semi-circular topiary yew hedge open to the east.

An entrance flanked by low stone piers surmounted by ball finials leads from the carriage turn to a broad stone flagged walk aligned on the entrance loggia at the central point of the west façade of the house.

This flagged walk is flanked by a symmetrical arrangement of topiary standard bays that replicate those planted by Peto and shown in early C20 photographs.

The Principal Building of the house is a stunning example of architectural design. It was rebuilt around 1600 by Charles Daubeney, who likely worked with master mason William Arnold.

The central range of the building features a unique design, with a triple-arched loggia similar to one found at Cranborne Manor in Dorset. This feature is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the time.

The building's exterior is constructed from Ham stone ashlar, which gives it a distinctive and rustic appearance. The hipped stone slate roofs provide a charming contrast to the ashlar walls.

The Principal Building is built to an 'E' shaped plan, with projecting north-west and south-west gabled wings flanking a centrally-placed projecting two-storey porch. This design is a classic example of the period's architectural style.

The porch itself is a beautiful feature, with a triple-arched loggia that is similar in design to one found at Seaborough Court in Dorset. This attention to detail is a hallmark of the building's design.

The building's south or garden elevation is irregular in plan, with a single-storey wing projecting at the south-east corner. This wing features a conservatory lit by mullion and transom windows, which is similar in design to the conservatory found at Bourton Hall in Warwickshire.

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Wayford Manor House has a fascinating history, and one of the most interesting aspects is its architecture.

The house includes a central range which was rebuilt about 1600 on the site of an earlier building by Charles Daubeney, probably with William Arnold as master mason.

This central range is a significant part of the house's history, and it's clear that a lot of care and attention went into its construction.

The north wing was completed in 1900 by architect Sir Ernest George, adding a new layer of elegance and sophistication to the manor house.