Gaulden Manor, Manor house in Tolland, England.
Gaulden Manor is a two-story red sandstone structure with a gabled porch and irregularly spaced mullioned windows throughout its walls. The grounds span three acres and include a herb garden laid out in a Tudor-style cross pattern, a fish pond, and collections of old roses.
The property was donated to Taunton Priory in 1199 and later passed to King Henry VIII when the priory was dissolved in 1539. Its sturdy red sandstone walls have endured through the centuries, marking its long role as a country estate.
Inside, you can see elaborate plasterwork from the 1660s with decorative panels showing biblical scenes and old sayings. These ornaments cover the hall and ceiling, telling stories through their detailed carvings and painted surfaces.
Visit during warmer months when the gardens are in full view, as the site sits in a rural location with limited access roads. Wear comfortable walking shoes since exploring the grounds and gardens involves moving around the property on foot.
The hall features a remarkable plaster ceiling with ornamental pendant work that stretches across the entire surface. Few visitors realize that this ceiling is among the finest examples of 1660s interior decoration surviving in the region.
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