With a visit to the magnificent Coughton Court you can go back to Tudor times and explore historic buildings, interiors and newly created gardens.
Warwickshire has many historic places of interest and Coughton Court is definitely one of them. Read on and find out about gate towers, execution chemises - and Alan Titchmarsh.
For a gallery of photographs of Coughton Court’s historic rooms, building work and gardens please click on the button below.
Collection of historic furniture and tapestries | |
The visit of this architectural gem starts with the Tudor gatehouse in the centre of the present house.
The flamboyant 16th Century gate tower still has many original features, including the elegant vaulted ceiling.
|  | The tapestry bedroom |
As the day comes to a close you can witness a spectacular scene as the sun shines through the coloured windows, throwing the front hall into sea of red and yellow light. A wonderful laterna magica indeed!
Adjoining the front hall is the late 18th Century staircase with an extensive collection of Throckmorton family portraits from Tudor times to the present day.
Coughton Court has a fine collection of historic furniture, porcelain, tapestries and family memorabilia. Let your imagination run wild, step back in time and picture what life at Coughton Court must have been like centuries ago.
Next to the dining room with its splendid mid-16th Century panelling is the tribune housing a special exhibit: the execution chemise of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The tribune overlookes the saloon which was used as a chapel until the present Catholic church was built in 1853.
This historic interior - including the dark wood panelling and low ceilings - lets you vividly imagine how persecuted Catholics hurried down the wooden steps during those past troubled times.
Leaving the gate tower you enter the rectangular courtyard, from where you can see Elizabethan half timbering added to the courtyard wings.
|  | Near the lake |
Adjoining the house are the stunning gardens which were recreated in 1991.
The walled garden, openend by gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh, includes a series of garden rooms, such as the red and white gardens, two herbaceous borders and the colourful rose labyrinth with a Rosamund statue at the centre.
There is also a bog garden, an orchard and the beautiful riverside walk, a few circuits of this certainly helps to tire the kids out!
|  | In the courtyard |
Coughton Court is situated two miles north of Alcester on the A435.
The house is open from 11.30am to 5pm with the gardens opening at 11am to 5pm.
Prices are around £8 for adult entry to the house and gardens with family, group and child concessions available.
The opening days change throughout the year, so please call 01789 762435 for more information before planning a visit.
For more historical information and a virtual tour of Coughton Court please follow the link to your left.
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