The Dower House

The Dower House is a country residence in Stoke Gifford, England, situated on Purdown hill overlooking the M32 motorway. Its yellow facade displays classical details and a roofline crowned with battlements.

Sir Richard Berkeley commissioned a building here in 1553, which Norborne Berkeley rebuilt in 1760 following designs by Thomas Wright. From 1909 it served as a facility for children with disabilities and introduced a new care model.

The name refers to the tradition of providing widowed noblewomen a separate residence on the family estate. Today the building forms part of a residential complex, while its facade and classical proportions recall earlier times.

A comprehensive renovation in 2004 converted the main building into apartments while preserving original elements. Visitors can view the exterior from public grounds, while the interior remains in private use.

Several protected outbuildings belong to the estate, including an orangery and a stone tunnel with rusticated arched entrance. The Broomhill Gate at the edge of the grounds marks another historic access point.

Location: Stoke Gifford

Inception: 1760

GPS coordinates: 51.49290,-2.54543

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:52