There was an incredible yellow house on a hill above the M-32 which I'd never noticed before. Apparently, it's the Dower House, a 1563 building at the center of a 140+ acre park. 
It was once owned by the Duke & Duchess of Beaufort and then was used as a hospital for the care of "mental defectives" and "inebriates" until the 1980's. 
In 2005, the Dower House was converted to 14 apartments, saving as many of the original features as possible, including oak flooring, timber skirting, fireplace surrounds and ornate cornices. 
Unfortunately, there's very little information to be found about these apartments. 
This house is why I got into the habit of always carrying my camera with me when I lived in the UK, and why I still carry it with me. You never know what's around the next corner.
It is imposing, and somewhat forlorn from a distance, and I'm not sure it would have helped the poor unfortunates incarcerated for their deficiencies! I suspect the present building is Victorian, though it may be sited on one from the C16th.
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered about that building as I make that London to Bristol drive regularly to see my son at university. Thank you for illuminating me with the history of the Dower House. Have a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year, xv
ReplyDeleteCol... there's so little information I can find about this house that you may be right.
ReplyDeleteIt was probably renovated in the mid 19th century based on the style -but who knows what kind of Jacobean goodness may lie inside! How beautiful! Hopefully one of the owners of the apartmentes within will stumble upon your blog and send in pictures -it wouldn't be the first time!
ReplyDeleteI love that sharp ochre color. It's such an unexpected color for a building of that style. Actually, it's an unexpected color for any building.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had your camera that day.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the British National Archives, it appears that the house pictured is a circa-1764 modernization of a Tudor structure. Used as a dower house for the dukes of Beaufort until the death of the 9th dowager duchess in 1907, it became " a ‘Colony for Mental Defectives’" in 1915 "and later the Burden Neurological Institute".
ReplyDeleteAL... thanks for hunting that up! I think that the "inebriates" were also in residence at some point.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, we drove by Dower House this summer on Attingham...and I remember being told about the yellow...but I can't remember the details. Let me see if I wrote anything in my notes.
ReplyDeleteThe Dower house has large grounds around it. There is a monument for Elizabetha Somerset who lived in the house but died in a tragic riding accident. Nearby there are woods where 2 tombs lie on top of each other but I can't find any info on who is buried here. Very
ReplyDeletemysterious place.
Have you been to the tombs? i was walking through the woods there. . and saw them . i cant remember now if there was any information on what they were about or not. . i live only 10 mins away from there so i will look again at some point! yes but your right. . Mysterious is definatly the word for it!
ReplyDeletePete... I have only driven by (dozens of times!) and didn't know anything about the house. I'd love it if you could take some close up pix for us!
ReplyDeleteI have some literature about Dower House.Name of the landscaper.There is also a lovers grotto situated in the woods, it now appears as a tunnel in the ground. The monuments are just that.No one is buried beneath them.I use to explore these woods when I was very young.We were scared to get too close to the house.I understand the home wasn't a nice place. I have also been inside and seen the work done to convert to appartments.Will dig out the paperwork and post.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!! The color is brilliant! If I could move it to Santa Barbara; I would! And the color is perfect!!
ReplyDeleteYIKES!!!