History of Coleshill Estate

A pair of ornately decorated stone gateposts topped with a pair of stone urns at Coleshill Park in Oxfordshire — The gateposts at Coleshill Park | © National Trust Images/John Miller

The Coleshill estate has always been a pioneering place. In the 17th century, the architecturally influential Coleshill House was constructed. For 300 years, it was an imposing presence in the village, only to be destroyed by fire in the 20th century. During the Second World War, Coleshill was the top-secret headquarters of the Auxiliaries, the British resistance organisation. The mid-19th century saw the construction of the innovative Model Farm. This is now home to the Coleshill Rural Skills Centre which champions and provides education in traditional and craft skills.

Early history

The Coleshill estate is situated on the banks of the river Cole in Oxfordshire. There has been a settlement here for over 1000 years. Coleshill likely takes its name from the Saxon ‘Coll’ (a person’s name), and ‘hyll’ or hill. In 1086, Coleshill is recorded as having 24 households in Domesday Book.

Coleshill House

In around 1626, Sir Henry Pratt, 1st Baronet (d. 1647), Alderman of the City of London, purchased the Manor of Coleshill. His son, Sir George Pratt, 2nd Baronet (d. 1673), inherited the estate in 1647. He commissioned his cousin the architect Sir Roger Pratt (1620–84) to design him a new house, which was completed in 1662. Pratt’s other great country house was Kingston Lacy (1663–5), and Coleshill was similar in appearance. Of two main storeys plus basement and attic, the principal front had nine bays. The roof was hipped and bristled with tall chimneys and a cupola. Its interiors were richly plastered and paneled and lavishly furnished.

Architectural conservationist James Lees Milne described Coleshill as the ‘first absolutely classical country house of the English Renaissance’, its revolutionary design changed the face of English country house architecture.

Estate improvements

The Coleshill estate passed through the family over the next 150 years. Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 2nd Earl of Radnor (1749/50–1828) undertook many changes. In order to enlarge the park and improve the setting of the house, he diverted the village street and demolished several cottages. He also re-routed a section of the river Cole to make it more visible from the house.

In 1828, William Pleydell-Bouverie, 3rd Earl of Radnor (1779–1869), inherited Coleshill. The 3rd Earl was passionate about improving animal husbandry and agricultural practice. Retired from the House of Lords, he undertook several estate improvements including overseeing the remodeling of Coleshill village and the building of the Model Farm.

A pair of stone built Victorian Model Farm buildings at Coleshill in Oxfordshire — Model Farm buildings at Coleshill | © National Trust Images/John Miller

The Model Farm

Built in 1852, the Coleshill estate Model Farm was at the forefront of innovative agricultural practice, livestock management and technology. The layout of the farm was carefully designed to improve productivity.

The design utilised the natural slope of the site. Grain arrived in higher yards and was processed through the farm, before becoming animal feed and leaving as manure from the lower yard.

The Model Farm incorporated earlier farming practices, such as enclosing yards for specialist use, alongside advanced features. These included a tramway system and turntable to distribute feed and remove manure.

Cole pottery

In 1889, the Hon. Duncombe Pleydell Bouverie (1842–1909) inherited Coleshill from his brother, the 4th Earl of Radnor. His three children, Mary, Jacob and Katherine, were brought up at Coleshill.

Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie (1895–1985) is considered one of the pioneers of modern English studio pottery. In 1925 she set up Cole pottery at the Coleshill village mill and used materials grown across the estate to prepare the specialist ceramic ash glazes for which she was renowned.

War effort: British resistance organisation

Between 1940 and 1944 hundreds of civilians came to Coleshill in secret to train in sabotage tactics and guerilla warfare.

In 1940 Britain was under threat of invasion. Winston Churchill ordered the formation of a secret resistance organisation to train civilians in subversive tactics in the event of a Nazi invasion. These were named ‘Auxiliary Units’.

A site was needed to house this establishment for guerrilla training. Coleshill estate was identified as suitable for this clandestine operation as it was rural but also accessible to London. It had a large building to house the General Headquarters, outbuildings and extensive grounds for training and any additional building needs.

Several wartime structures survive across the estate including bunkers and a guard house. Following negotiations with owners Mary and Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie, the War Department requisitioned the estate. The sisters remained in residence in the main house.

Interior of the replica WWII bunker on the Coleshill Estate, Oxfordshire — Interior of the replica WWII bunker on the Coleshill Estate | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Coleshill is sold

In 1946 Coleshill House and estate were sold to the philanthropist and businessman, Ernest Cook (1865–1955). One of the stipulations of the sale was that, on his death, the estate be passed to the care and management of National Trust.

A devastating fire

During renovations to Coleshill House in September 1952, a devastating fire broke out. A stray ember from a painter's blowlamp accidentally set fire to the roof timber and quickly spread throughout the house. 14 fire brigades sent over 20 engines, but the fire burned for two days. Many contents of the house were rescued but the house was gutted by the fire.

In 1958, the decision was taken to demolish the ruins of the house as they were considered dangerous. The loss of Coleshill House, at a time when many large houses were being voluntarily demolished, helped inspire the modern conservation movement. Today, architectural pieces from this once magnificent house are on display in the Model Farm.

Parkland restoration

Coleshill is surrounded by miles of walking trails and has far-reaching views across to White Horse Hill. Over the past few years, the National Trust has been restoring the parkland.

Heritage and Rural Skills Centre

Located at the heart of the Model Farm, the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre is a hub for teaching traditional building techniques and rural crafts. Working in partnership, the programme develops heritage conservation skills through beginners’ courses and provides a creative community for professional craftspeople to work in and inspire the next generation.