The Manor House Hotel — Award Winning Afternoon Tea - Beyond Downton Abbey: A Guide to 25 Great Houses - page 60

photo © The Manor House Hotel
Who built it…who owns it
The Manor House was originally built in the 14 th century to replace a Norman castle that
had fallen into ruin. The Manor House had many Lords of the Manor, the most influential
of whom is believed to be Sir John Oldcastle, immortalized by Shakespeare as Falstaff in
Henry IV .
The Manor House was home to the 19 th century English geologist and political economist
George Poulett Scrope. He created the property's Italian, classical and medieval styled
gardens and the Gothic summerhouse.
As part of the Barony of Combe, The Manor House was the heart of the lovely medieval
village of Castle Combe. For 500 years, the village has retained the same 15 th century
beauty, full of golden Cotswold stone buildings and complete with manor, market, con-
stable, church and inns. Castle Combe has earned its “prettiest village in England” award.
Style notes
Medieval