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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 and Strode House remain closed for 2023, there are glorious garden rooms, avenues, and orchards to explore. New installations in the farm buildings tell the stories of key characters and the development of the estate.
Barrington, near Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0NQ
Opening times for 5 December 2023
Asset Opening time Garden Closed Parkland Closed Beagles Café Closed Shop Closed Book Barn Closed Both houses (Strode House and Court House) are closed to visitors throughout 2023 whilst we prepare for major conservation work.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £12.10 £11.00 Child £6.10 £5.50 Family £30.30 £27.50 1 adult family £18.20 £16.20 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Book shop
Kiosk
The kiosk near Visitor Reception is open at certain times of the year.
Cafe
Shop
Car park
Toilet
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on the estate and in the parkland, but aren’t allowed in the formal and walled garden areas.
Blue Badge parking. Drop-off point. Adapted toilet in Strode House. Some uneven paths. Ground floor of house accessible (currently closed).
Accessible toilet
Steps/uneven terrain
Designated parking
Transfer available
By road
On B3168 signposted from A358 Ilminster to Taunton. Or off A303 London to Exeter.
Parking: free
Sat Nav: Incorrectly directs visitors to rear entrance - please follow brown tourist signs.
On foot
Numerous public footpaths
By train
Crewkerne, 7 miles
By bus
Stagecoach 632/3 Ilminster to Martock, with connections on 30 from Taunton - Please check with Stagecoach direct for their updated timetable.
Planning your visit
Events at Barrington Court
View all our upcoming adult workshops and Christmas family fun activities including Mrs Christmas' cookie cutter trail.
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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
Barrington Court Revival
This autumn, discover new playful interactive installations in the old farm buildings. The Design Shed and History Shed highlight new information about the key characters and the development of Barrington Court estate.
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.
Beagles Café
Newly refurbished, 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.
House
Both houses (Strode House and Court House) are closed to visitors throughout 2023 whilst we prepare for major conservation work.
Estate
Over 70 acres with farm buildings still in use, tenanted cottages, tennis court, cricket pitch and formal parkland.
Shop
Shop in the old farm buildings on the Avenue, with original gifts, treats, local products and some seasonal plant sales.
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
Find out more about 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's house
Barrington Court is a beautiful Tudor mansion that was restored in the 1920s, resulting in a home full of mystery and fascinating details. The house is currently closed.
Spotlight events
Fun activities to enjoy at Barrington Court
Celebrate Christmas at Barrington Court
We invite you to join us for festive fun at Barrington Court. Enjoy the new Christmas trail, and self-led crafts and seasonal story telling in the farm buildings. Wrap up warm and take a stroll around the garden and parkland then head to Beagles cafe for some festive treats.
Early Years Mondays at Barrington Court
Grab your wellies and come for a stomp around Barrington. Join a storytelling session at 11am in the Farmyard and have a go at some craft activities and sensory play in the Design Shed.
Mrs Christmas' Cookie Cutter Trail
Can you help Mrs Christmas find her missing cookie cutters?
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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Christmas decoration making
Join us in the Design Shed to make some seasonal decorations to hang on our Christmas tree.
Event
Early Years Mondays at Barrington Court
Grab your wellies and come for a wander and a play at Barrington Court.
Event
Architecture & Gardens: photography workshops with Nick Matthews
Celebrating Skill: Craft & Graft. Follow in the footsteps of Colonel Lyle and explore photography in the grounds and gardens of Barrington Court.
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.
Court House and Strode House are currently closed after weather conditions damaged part of the roof. The houses will remain closed for some time as we need to carry out research to ensure we restore and repair 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; supplying the restaurant and 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.