West Bower Manor With Barn, Medieval manor and barn in Durleigh, England.
West Bower Manor is a medieval country house in Durleigh with a stone gatehouse featuring two faceted corner towers and Gothic architectural details from the 15th century. The main structure stands alongside a barn, creating a practical arrangement where the residence and agricultural facilities shared the same site.
The manor dates to the 15th century and changed ownership when Edward Seymour, brother of Queen Jane Seymour, received it from his cousin Margaret Coker. This transfer ended the Coker family's control of the estate, a lineage that had held power over local lands since the 1100s.
The manor illustrates how medieval noble families lived and worked, with residential quarters sitting alongside farming facilities. The barn structure next to the main house shows how tightly domestic and agricultural life were linked together.
As a Grade II* listed building, the property is strictly protected and any repairs or modifications must be approved by heritage authorities. Visitors should know that access may be restricted since it remains a private heritage site with conservation requirements.
The property sits close to Durleigh Reservoir, a water facility completed in 1938 that transformed the surrounding landscape. This proximity shows how a historic building shares its setting with 20th-century infrastructure development.
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