Lower Brockhampton

The Lower Brockhampton estate, near Bromyard, is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. The estate is nearly 688 hectares in extent, and there are 6.5 miles of woodland walks with a sculpture trail. Lower Brockhampton is one of the best Herefordshire examples demonstrating continuity from the Middle Ages through the Tudor period and culminating in a Georgian mansion of the 18th century.

Lower Brockhampton manor house is a picturesque medieval moated timber-framed house with an impressive base-crucked hall (SMR record number 7157). Much of the exposed timber work is decorated and attests to the expensive building technique.

J.W. Tonkin has surveyed timber-framed houses in the county and has demonstrated that all the surviving base-cruck halls in Herefordshire belonged to the upper gentry. In the absence of detailed written sources, this would confirm the higher status and wealth of the Domulton family of Lower Brockhampton.

The exquisite timber-framed 16th century gatehouse bestrides the moat (SMR 939). According to Dr. Keith Ray (Herefordshire Council's County Archaeologist), this moat was built in several stages, the last phase being for ornamental purposes. In earlier, more troubled days, a moat could safeguard livestock from theft or help to repel attackers.

The medieval chapel, situated close to the manor house, is now in ruins (SMR 938).

For further information about Lower Brockhampton, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-brockhampton/

[Original author: Toria Forsyth-Moser, 2003]