Nestled on the outskirts of Birmingham, England is the stunning medieval Baddesley Clinton stately home. This Warwickshire manor house is particularly striking as it’s set in its own moat which surrounds all sides of the house.
For around 500 years, this was the home of the Ferrers family who were staunch Catholics. The house has a number of ‘priest holes’ where priests could be hidden during their persecution by the state. Much of the house you see today was built by lawyer Henry Ferrers in the late 1500s. He was a passionate collector of interesting objects, some of which are on display here.
When you arrive, you visit the courtyard area first where there is a National Trust cafe and shop. You then proceed into the grounds and the house is accessed by a single stone bridge over the moat. The house is a horseshoe shape around a small inner garden with one side open to the moat. Parts of the house were constructed at different times and from different materials.
Inside the manor house it’s surprisingly homely. The rooms are small and all feel ‘lived-in’. You could imagine relaxing in the cosy chairs in the sitting room in the evening in front of a roaring fire. Much of this feeling is down to Gilbert Thomas Walker who bought the house in 1940 and with his wife spent 30 years renovating and restoring it into a home for entertaining.
We particularly liked the airy bedrooms with their large windows but the whole house is full of character and history. You’ll find twisty staircases, wobbly door frames and an attractive library which again has lots of light flooding in.
Outside, make sure you walk all around the moat and then spend some time in the veg garden. Baddesley Clinton house is open all year round from 10.30am until 4pm. The garden, restaurant and shop open at 9am. Adult admission is £17 (2025 prices) but is free for members of the National Trust. Members often visit nearby Packwood House at the same time.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Baddesley Clinton, Rising Lane, Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire, B93 0DQ
Tel: 01564783294
Email: baddesleyclinton@nationaltrust.org.uk
MORE ON BADDESLEY CLINTON
Baddesley Clinton – National Trust
Baddesley Clinton – Wikipedia
Stay Near Baddesley Clinton – Booking.com