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Barrington Court
An atmospheric fragment of old Somerset; the estate is the vision of Colonel Lyle and his architect James Edwin Forbes. Whilst Court House remains closed for repair, the ground floor of Strode House is open, and there are glorious garden rooms, avenues, and orchards to explore. Installations in the farm buildings tell the stories of key characters and the development of the estate.
Barrington, near Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0NQ
Important notice
Barrington Court is closing early at 3pm on Thursday 10 July. Opening time remains as normal. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
Opening times for 12 July 2025
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Strode House 10:00 - 16:45 Parkland 10:00 - 17:00 Beagles Café 10:00 - 16:45 Shop 10:00 - 16:45 Book Barn 10:00 - 16:45 Court House is CLOSED to visitors throughout 2025 whilst we prepare for major conservation work.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £13.20 £12.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £6.60 £6.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £33.00 £30.00 Family (1 adult and up to 2 children) £19.80 £18.00 Group (Adult 18+) £11.40 Group (Child 5-17) £5.70 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
- Café
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome on leads in the estate, garden (except the Kitchen Garden) and parkland.
- Kiosk
The kiosk near Visitor Reception is open at certain times of the year.
- Picnic area
There is plenty of space for picnics on the South Lawn and tables and chairs outside Beagles café.
- Shop
- Toilet
Blue Badge parking. Drop-off point. Adapted toilet in Strode House. Some uneven paths. Ground floor of house accessible in manual wheelchairs (Court House is currently closed).
- Accessible toilet
There is a temporary, portable accessible toilet currently located near Visitor Reception.
- Designated parking
Accessible parking spaces are available behind Beagles café.
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Transfer available
- Wheelchairs available
Please ask at the Visitor Reception for manual wheelchairs.
- By road
On B3168 signposted from A358 Ilminster to Taunton. Or off A303 London to Exeter.
Parking: free
Sat Nav: Please note that Sat Navs incorrectly directs you to rear entrance. We recommend using What3Words: ///surprised.metals.brushing and following the brown tourist signs.
- On foot
Numerous public footpaths
- By train
Crewkerne, 7 miles
- Cycling
NCN30. Nearest cycle hire is in Langport. Currently there is no bike rack available.
Planning your visit
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Visiting Barrington Court with your dog
Barrington Court is a two pawprint rated place. Find out where to walk your dog through the country estate and parkland at Barrington Court Walk and where the dog bins are located.
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Group visits to Barrington Court
Barrington Court is an ideal place to visit as a group as there’s something for every to enjoy and discover. Find out how to organise a group visit and the available perks.
Highlights
Garden
Gertrude Jekyll influenced these formal walled garden areas which include a Lily Garden, White Garden, and the Rose and Iris Garden. You'll find scents and vibrant colours around every corner, as well as lawns and orchards, and quiet spaces to stop and relax.
Farm Buildings
The Design Shed and History Shed highlight information about the key characters and the development of Barrington Court estate.
Estate
Over 70 acres with farm buildings still in use, tenanted cottages, tennis court, cricket pitch and formal parkland.
House
The ground floor of Strode House is open. Court House is closed to visitors whilst we prepare for major conservation work.
Beagles Café
The café offers a range of lunches, light bites, cakes, hot drinks and other tasty treats. Perfect rest stop to admire the view or grab a coffee to take on your morning walk.
Shop
Shop in the old farm buildings on the Avenue, with original gifts, treats and local products.
Book barn
A well-stocked book barn brimming with pre-loved bargains covering all topics and tastes.
Shopping (not National Trust)
Four independent artisanal businesses on the Avenue, including a goldsmith, a pottery, a chair maker and a wood carver.
Things to see and do
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Family-friendly things to do at Barrington Court
Discover what family activities are available at Barrington Court in Somerset and plan your visit.
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Things to see and do in the garden at Barrington Court
Explore the garden of Barrington Court throughout the seasons. See the fruit and produce growing in the Kitchen Garden or enjoy the tranquillity and beautiful borders of formal, walled garden areas.
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Things to do and see on the estate at Barrington Court
Walk the estate to discover nature, views, and the landmarks of Barrington Court. Bring along your dog to enjoy these spaces.
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Visiting Barrington Court houses
Barrington Court is home to two houses that went through an impressive restoration during the 1920s, resulting in mystery and fascinating details. Court House is currently closed. The ground floor of Strode House is open.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Barrington Court
Fuel up at Barrington Court’s café, find a souvenir at the shop, browse pre-loved page turners at the Book Barn, and discover local artists at the craft studios.
Places to stay
Tintinhull House
Stay in part of this idyllic Somerset house among the formal garden of Tintinhull.
Montacute South Lodge
A decorative gate lodge with a spacious interior that retains many original features.
Odcombe Lodge
A grade II-listed gatehouse with a pretty, private garden, at the entrance to Elizabethan masterpiece Montacute House.
Upcoming events
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Summer of Play at Barrington Court (Summer Holidays)
Summer fete themed fun for all the family this summer at Barrington Court.
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Festival of Archaeology 2025: Heritage Explorer Challenge
Explore the estate to discover archaeological features.
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Festival of Archaeology 2025: Archaeology Tour
Join a volunteer-led tour to learn about some of the fascinating archaeology on the Barrington Court estate.
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Falconry Displays at Barrington Court (Summer Holidays)
Marvel at majestic birds of prey as they swoop across the South Lawn.
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Heritage Open Days 2025: Free entry to Barrington Court
Enjoy free entry to Barrington Court's beautiful gardens & historic orchards, farm buildings, avenues and the ground floor of Strode House, where you can imagine what it was like as the Lyle's 1920s family home.
About Barrington Court
Colonel Arthur Lyle rescued the partially derelict 16th-century Court House in the 1920s, undertaking an ambitious restoration and surrounding it with a productive estate. A keen collector of architectural salvage, Colonel Lyle filled the house with rescued panelling, fireplaces and staircases. His fortune came from the colonial sugar industry; he was the founder’s grandson and Director of what became Tate & Lyle. Now without furniture, the light, empty spaces provide atmospheric opportunities to explore freely.
The ground floor of Strode House is open and inside visitors can find out more about the history of Barrington Court, how it was transformed by Colonel Lyle and became a home for an unsual collection of architectural salvage.
Court House is currently closed for the Barrington Court Revival project, which is working to understand and repair damage to the historical fabric of the buildings caused by water ingress. The house will remain closed for some time as we need to carry out research to ensure repairs are made using the correct materials and tools, whilst minimising environmental impact.
The walled White Garden, Rose and Iris Garden and Lily Garden were influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, with playing fountains, vibrant colours and intoxicating scents. The original kitchen garden remains productive; continuing the Lyle family's vision of self-sufficiency.
History
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History of Barrington Court
Barrington Court developed from Roman times until the 20th century when the grand Tudor mansion was restored with a remarkable collection of antique panelling.
Art and collections
Barrington Court’s objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Barrington Court on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
Project
Project
Barrington Court Revival
Discover more about the project to restore and care for Barrington Court for the future.
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Our work at Barrington Court
Conservation staff and volunteers at Barrington Court work all year round to protect the fine interiors as well as to maintain the gardens and orchards.
Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management kindly supports South Somerset
Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management has a long-standing relationship with the National Trust in the south west. Aiming to offer the highest ethical principles and best service standards of any financial adviser in the UK, with locally based offices across southern England. These include Sherborne, and a newly opened location in Richmond-upon-Thames. We’re very pleased that they’re kindly continuing to support the South Somerset portfolio.
Support us
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Volunteering opportunities at Barrington Court
Volunteers bring Barrington Court to life, from welcoming visitors to maintaining the gardens, and we’re happy to hear from people keen to join the team.