Mells Manor

Mells Manor is a stone Elizabethan manor house featuring walled gardens and ornate iron gates topped with carved stone piers. The grounds encompass approximately one hectare of garden space in total.

Thomas Horner acquired the manor in 1543 following the dissolution of Glastonbury Abbey, gaining control of lands previously held by the religious community. The structure underwent major renovations and changes across the following centuries.

The property is linked to the nursery rhyme Little Jack Horner through Thomas Horner's acquisition of the manor from Glastonbury Abbey's last abbot. This tale remains woven into how locals and visitors understand the place today.

The manor remains private, but visitors can view the exterior from the road, churchyard, and public footpaths that encircle the grounds. These paths provide access throughout the year without any restrictions.

The garden walls on the northern side were built by Richard Bere, Abbot of Glastonbury, between 1493 and 1525, making them a century older than the current manor structure. These surviving walls reveal how the site was used long before Horner's time.

Location: Mells

GPS coordinates: 51.24204,-2.39208

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03