Brunel Manor, English country house in Watcombe, England.
Brunel Manor is a limestone country house with Bath Stone decorative features, rising three stories on a hilltop in Watcombe and overlooking Babbacombe Bay. The estate comprises 67 bedrooms across multiple structures on three separate parcels of land.
Architect William Burn designed the mansion in the 1850s as a retirement residence for engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who died before the construction was completed. The house was finished in his memory, standing as a testament to his influence.
The property served as a Christian retreat center from 1963 onward, hosting religious gatherings and events until 2021. This transformation from private home to communal worship space shaped how the place functioned for generations.
The property sits on elevated terrain with access points to the various parcels across the site. Visitors should plan for the estate's size, as the multiple connected buildings and expansive grounds require time to explore.
Many of the trees growing in the grounds were planted by Brunel himself during the initial landscaping and still stand today. These living trees create a direct link between visitors and the engineer's personal legacy.
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