Burford House, Shropshire Explained

Burford House is an 18th-century country house in Burford, Shropshire, near Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, England. It now functions as a garden centre, cafe, garden and retail outlet.

Built in 1728, it is a Grade II* listed building, built of red brick to a double-pile plan with a six-window three-storey frontage. It stands in 3 hectares (7.5 acres) of ornamental gardens.

History

The estate of Burford, which had belonged to the Cornwall family since the Middle Ages, was sold in 1720 to William Bowles for £35,000. Bowles was the proprietor of the Vauxhall glassworks in Lambeth, London, the largest glass works in the country, and was Member of Parliament for Bridport and later for Bewdley.[1] He commissioned the building of the present house in 1728, extended the grounds and built a summerhouse (which is also listed Grade II*).

From the 1860s Burford was the home of George Rushout, 3rd Baron Northwick, a descendant of the Bowles family. During his time the house was greatly extended by the addition of east and west wings, which were demolished in the 1950s.[2]

In 1954 the estate was purchased by Mr John Treasure and his brother, who demolished the added wings, completely replanted the gardens, and in 1958 opened the grounds to the public.[3]

Architectural details

A country house in red brick with bands and a tile roof with coped gables and parapets. There are three storeys and a symmetrical front of six bays, a double-depth plan, and a rear parallel extension. In the centre is a projecting porch with Greek Doric columns and an open pediment, and above the doorway is a fanlight. The windows are sashes with gauged brick lintels. Brick garden walls extend from the southeast corner of the house.

See also

Sources

52.3083°N -2.6143°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BOWLES, William (1686-1748), of Burford, Worcs.. History of Parliament Online. 10 August 2015.
  2. Web site: The Grounds And Gardens Of Burford House. Discovering Shropshires History. 10 August 2015.
  3. Web site: Burford House, Tenbury Wells, Shropshire, England Record Id: 4997. Parks and Gardens. 10 August 2015.