Westwood Manor facts for kids
Westwood Manor is a beautiful old house in the village of Westwood, near Bradford-on-Avon, England. It's a special kind of old home called a manor house, which was once owned by an important family. This house is very old, with parts built in the 1400s, and more added in the 1500s and 1600s. A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner even called it "a perfect Wiltshire manor house." Since 1956, Westwood Manor has been looked after by the National Trust, a charity that protects historic places. It's also a "Grade I listed" building, which means it's considered very important and special.
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The Story of Westwood Manor
Westwood Manor has a long and interesting history. The oldest parts of the house were built way back in the 15th century, which means the 1400s. Over the years, new sections were added, especially in the 16th century (the 1500s). You can also see beautiful plaster designs inside from the 17th century (the 1600s).
Early Owners and Changes
One of the early people who lived in Westwood Manor was Thomas Horton. He lived there in the early 1500s and owned a cloth mill nearby. People believe he helped make improvements to the local church in the village. This shows how important the manor house and its owners were to the community.
Edgar Lister's Legacy
A very important person in the history of Westwood Manor was Edgar Lister. He was a diplomat, which means he worked for his country in other parts of the world, like the Ottoman Empire. When he passed away in 1956, he left the house to the National Trust.
Edgar Lister loved Westwood Manor and spent many years making it beautiful. From 1911 until he died, he collected amazing things for the house. You can see his collection of fine furniture, old musical instruments, and beautiful tapestries (woven wall hangings). He also worked hard to restore the house, making sure it looked its best.
A Garden of Art and Craft
Edgar Lister also cared for the gardens at Westwood Manor. He decorated them with topiary, which are bushes and trees that have been carefully trimmed into fun shapes. He was also very skilled at needlepoint, a type of embroidery. He even used his skills to cover much of the furniture with beautiful patterns called "Florentine work."
Visiting Westwood Manor Today
Today, Westwood Manor is still a home, but it's also open for people to visit. A tenant lives there and helps the National Trust look after the property. You can visit the manor house and its gardens on certain days during the summer. It's a great way to step back in time and see how people lived centuries ago.
