Owlpen Manor & Estate
Owlpen Manor is a Tudor manor house dating back to medieval times. The house was built and developed in phases between 1450 and 1616. The manor was significantly developed during the Tudor period when the hall block was rebuilt and the west wing added.
The manor fell into disrepair in the 19th century with one of the roof trusses giving way, the stone bay window almost detaching from the wall, and ivy growing across the floors. The house was purchased in 1925, when the house and outlying farms and cottages were sold in lots, and extensive repairs took place to preserve the old manor. Owlpen is now a family home and much of the old estate has been bought back over years.
The ghost of Queen Margaret of Anjou is said to haunt the upper rooms of the manor. She stayed in the manor in 1474 en route to the battle of Tewkesbury where her son, Prince Edward, was killed as he fled and headed for sanctuary. The shock of his death is said to bring the Queen back to haunt the rooms of Owlpen Manor as it was where she spent her last happy night with hopes of victory.
Owlpen has formal terraced gardens with yew topiary, old roses, and box parterres. The hanging terrace gardens are described as one of the earliest continuously cultivated domestic gardens in England. There is an early Georgian mill pond and lake, and a walled kitchen garden.
Things to do
There are woodland tracks and field paths of the Owlpen estate to enjoy. Please ignore the private signs on the gates and in the woods: they are intended to show the general public where the footpaths are. You can also enjoy wild swimming in the lake if the weather allows (or if you’re brave!), it is entirely spring-fed and clean. The mill pond, next to the Grist Mill, is not suitable for swimming. The formal gardens around the manor house itself are private and only open for visits by appointment (and you’ll be able to visit these on our wedding day).
The village of Uley can be reached in fifteen minutes if you walk across the fields. The village shop has basic ingredients available, and there is a cosy pub called The Old Crown, and a café called the Vestry Café. The nearest town for shopping is Dursley which has supermarkets and high street shops.
There is a 7.4km (4.6 mile) circular walk between Owlpen, Uley, and Nympsfield which is great for walking or running. The map and instructions for which can be found here.
Surrounding Areas
The Cotswolds is a very popular destination known for its picturesque villages and countryside. There is a lot to do in the area so below are some suggestions of things to do if you’re able to stay for a few days!
If you’d like to combine several of the highlights below we’d recommend:
Near Owlpen: Pre-book either Highgrove Gardens or Westonbirt, the National Arboretum and walk around the beautiful gardens. Stop at the café at Chavenage House for a coffee and cake. Or head to Newark Park or Woodchester Mansion to see the historic houses and wander the grounds.
Northern Cotswolds: Choose a couple of villages to visit (such as Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway, and/or Bourton-on-the-Water) and find a walk or two in the area (such as Bourton-on-the-Water to Upper and Lower Slaughter, or Broadway Tower Circular). There are lots of lovely pubs in the area, they can be popular so it’s good to book in advance especially for Sunday lunch.
Wales: Explore the historic Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle. Stop at Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley for the viewpoint and walking trails, and head to Hay-on-Wye to visit the charming village with over twenty bookshops.
Bath: Visit the Cathedral, the Roman Baths, and the Royal Crescent. Bath is a lovely city to wander around, with great shops and stunning architecture. You could pre-book the Thermae Bath Spa (adults only) to bathe in the naturally warm and mineral rich water as the romans did. There are several walks from Bath, including the walk along the canal to Bradford-on-Avon. Bath has several excellent cafés and restaurants.
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Walks
There are many walking trails in the surrounding area, including the Cotswolds Way.
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Villages
The Cotswolds is famous for its chocolate-box villages and there are many to explore!
Nearby Tetbury and Painswick are lovely, or further afield Winchcombe, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold are worth visiting. -
Gardens
There are several renowned gardens in the area. Highgrove Gardens (the King’s estate) and Westonbirt, The National Arboretum are both 15 minutes drive from Owlpen.
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Historic Houses & Palaces
There are several historic houses and National Trust properties in the Cotswolds. Chavenage House and Woodchester Mansion are both less than 15 minutes drive from Owlpen.
Further afield is Blenheim Palace, which is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. -
Eat & Drink
There are a lot of good options - it’s hard to go wrong with a country pub in the Cotswolds!
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Cities
The closest larger cities nearby are Bath and Bristol.