History of Clevedon Court

The 14th-century stone arch leading to the staircase landing outside the State Bedroom at Clevedon Court, Somerset — 14th-century stone arch at Clevedon Court | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Clevedon Court is an outstanding 14th-century manor house with an 18th-century terraced garden. Purchased by Abraham Elton in 1709, this remarkable survivor from the medieval period has been the ancestral home of the Elton family ever since.

Abraham I

Abraham Elton, 1st baronet, was a self-made industrialist and manufacturer, with interests in brass and glass, and made much of his fortune in the slave trade.

It's thought that Abraham never lived in the house, and was more interested in the surrounding land and acquiring mineral rights, founding a copper works in 1696.

He left the house to his son, Sir Abraham II who made alterations, most notably to the Great Hall.

View from the Great Hall through the doorway to the Screens Passage at Clevedon Court, Somerset — View from the Great Hall at Clevedon Court | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Abraham II

Brass and copper items were highly valued in Africa and used as money by traders. Items such as pots and pans were bought by African traders to sell on, or exchanged for enslaved Africans, who were then shipped on and sold at a profit to work on plantations in the Americas and Caribbean. It is known that Abraham II invested in at least three slaving voyages.

Abraham III

Sir Abraham III squandered his grandfather’s fortune and went bankrupt in 1745. The house remained in the family, but was neglected for many years. Eventually, Sir Abraham IV, and younger brother of Sir Abraham III paid off the debts in a series of land sales in the 1750s. As the third son, he was not due to inherit, but made his fortune as a lawyer.

Part of the painting, Panoramic View of Clevedon Court, by P Tillemans found on the stairs at Clevedon court, Somerset — Detail of a painting, Panoramic View of Clevedon Court, by P Tillemans | © National Trust Images / John Hammond

Abraham IV

Clevedon Court’s fortunes improved with Sir Abraham IV, who, unlike his predecessors did not make his money in the slave trade. He transformed the garden, which rises up the steep slope behind the house on a series of terraces.

Abraham V

Sir Abraham V, a clergyman and friend of the abolitionist, Hannah More, was the first Elton to live permanently at Clevedon Court.

Clevedon Court today

Today, Clevedon Court remains home to some of the Elton family’s unique possessions, including a collection of local Eltonware pottery and Nailsea glass.