Enjoy Warwickshire

Coughton Court, Nr Alcester

Coughton, Stratford

Coughton Court near Alcester has been the ancestral home to the Throckmortons since 1409, a Catholic family with members directly involved in the Gunpowder plot of 1605. The house features a number of priest holes and a magnificent hall and award-winning gardens that are owned, managed and entirely funded by the family.
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The name Coughton (pronounced "Coat-un") suggests a settlement or farm known for the hunting of woodcock or gamebirds. It is believed that there was a medieval house on the site when John de Throckmorton arrived in 1409 to marry into the de Spiney family.

Behind the Tudor gatehouse house you will find the courtyard with its fine Elizabethan half-timbering, where a knot garden leads to lawns and fine vistas of the Warwickshire countryside.

Opening Times and admission prices
http://www.coughtoncourt.co.uk/visitors.1.html
National Trust members, HHA members, RHS members and Friends - free admission to house and grounds with valied membership card during normal opening hours.

Events
There is a varied events calendar and much to see and do!
http://www.coughtoncourt.co.uk/events.html

The House
The Tudor gatehouse in the centre of the present house was constructed around 1530 with Elizabethan half timbering added to the courtyard wings. The house has remained relatively unchanged since. The gardens are wholly managed by the Throckmorton family but the house is managed by the National Trust.
http://www.coughtoncourt.co.uk/the-house.html

Gardens
The gardens at Coughton are of special significance and although only started in 1991 they have now reached a high degree of maturity and are one of the best in England. Alongside the famous walled garden with all its concentration on roses and herbaceous plants, are a formal garden in the courtyard, a bog garden, a recently replanted orchard, river and riverside walks - really something for everyone in horticultural terms. Spacious lawns for the children to run on plus a special childrens' play area with swings and slides. Coughton Court's gardens have been described in the Royal Horticultural Society's Members Handbook 2003 as "breathtaking." The Walled Garden, Bog Garden and walks alongside the River Arrow are highly praised. The author concludes by noting that a trip to Coughton is "truly memorable."
http://www.coughtoncourt.co.uk/the-gardens.html