Avebury Manor and Garden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Avebury Manor & Garden |
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Avebury Manor from the south
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| General information | |
| Type | Manor house |
| Classification | Grade I |
| Location | Avebury |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°25′44″N 1°51′33″W / 51.4289°N 1.8591°W |
| Opened | Early 16th century |
| Owner | National Trust |
Avebury Manor & Garden is a really old and cool house in Avebury, England. It's owned by the National Trust, which looks after special places. This manor house was built a long, long time ago, in the early 1500s! It's right next to a church and very close to the famous Avebury stone circles, which are even older.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
From Priory to Manor House
Imagine a quiet place where monks lived hundreds of years ago. Avebury Manor was built near where a priory (a small monastery) once stood. This priory was founded way back in 1114! Later, in 1411, the land went to a college called Fotheringhay College. Some parts of the old religious buildings were even used to build the manor house we see today.
In 1548, a man named William Sharington bought the manor. He planned some changes. The oldest parts of the house were probably built after William Dunch bought the estate in 1551. He was interested in ancient monuments like the Avebury stone circles. Around that time, a stone dovecote (a building for doves) was built in the gardens.
The Dunch Family and Beyond
In the 1580s, William Dunch gave the manor to his son, Walter. Walter's daughter, Deborah, Lady Moody, grew up there. She later moved to America and helped start a town called Gravesend in Brooklyn in 1645.
After Walter Dunch passed away in 1594, his wife, Deborah, married Sir James Mervyn. They made big changes to the house around 1601, especially to the south side. In 1640, the Dunch family sold the house to John Stawell. The estate was taken away from him when he was accused of treason in 1646. It was sold to George Long in 1652. But when Stawell was released from the Tower of London in 1660, he got his house back.
The 20th Century and Saving the Manor
Over hundreds of years, the house had many additions. In the 1700s, a racquets court was added. In the early 1900s, the family of Leopold C. D. Jenner lived there. They added the West Library and completely redesigned the gardens.
Later, in the late 1930s, an archaeologist named Alexander Keiller leased and restored the house. He was very interested in the Avebury henge (the stone circles).
A New Hope for Avebury Manor
By 1955, many old country houses were being destroyed. Avebury Manor's future was uncertain when Keiller put it up for sale. Not many people cared about saving old buildings then. But a scientist named Sir Francis Knowles stepped in and bought the manor from Keiller.
Sir Francis worked hard to restore the house. He learned a lot about how it was built. His family lived partly in cottages and partly in the house while the work was done. The government also helped with money.
In May 1956, Avebury Manor was one of the first smaller houses to open to the public. In 1958, it was given a special Grade I listing, meaning it's a very important historic building. Sir Francis and his wife, Ruth, raised their children at the manor.
A Magical Childhood Home
The Knowles children remember the manor as a magical place to grow up. They had lots of space to explore. They even helped with the early days of opening the house to visitors. They used an old field telephone for communication and served teas. They even took coins from the wishing well to buy ice cream! Sir Francis was known as a wonderful host. He loved sharing his beautiful Elizabethan house with many people.
By 1974, fewer country houses were being destroyed. This was thanks to stricter rules and a big exhibition about saving historic homes. Sir Francis Knowles passed away suddenly in 1974. He is buried in the churchyard next to the house he worked so hard to restore.
The National Trust Takes Over
In 1976, Sir Francis's wife sold the house. After a few more owners, the house was bought by the National Trust in 1991.
Visiting Avebury Manor
Today, the National Trust keeps Avebury Manor open for everyone to visit. The garden was completely redesigned in the early 1900s. It has beautiful topiary (bushes shaped into designs) and formal gardens. These are inside walls and clipped box hedges, creating many different "rooms" in the garden.
In 2011, Avebury Manor was featured on a BBC One TV show called The Manor Reborn. In the show, experts worked with the National Trust to refurbish the house. The show helped bring the house back to life.
When you visit today, you are encouraged to touch and experience the furniture and objects in the rooms. The rooms show what the house looked like during different times, from the 1500s to the early 1900s.
Some people say the house is haunted!
