Leigh Court
| Leigh Court | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Palladian |
| Location | Abbots Leigh, Somerset |
| Coordinates | 51°28′11″N 2°39′35″W / 51.46972°N 2.65972°W |
| Current tenants | Bristol West |
| Construction started | 1814 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Hopper |
Leigh Court is a Grade II* listed building[1] in Abbots Leigh, Somerset, England.
The original Leigh Court was a Tudor mansion built by Sir George Norton of Bristol in 1558. His son, also George Norton, unknowingly hosted Charles II at the home during his escape to France in 1651. He arrived on the evening of 12 September, staying at the home of Mr and Mrs George Norton, who were friends of the Kings's travelling companion, Jane Lane. The Nortons were unaware of the King's identity during his three-day stay.
A description of the house appears in the book "The Escape of Charles II, After the Battle of Worcester" by Richard Ollard:
"Abbots Leigh was the most magnificent of all the houses in which Charles was sheltered during his escape. A drawing made in 1788, only twenty years before it was pulled down, shows a main front of twelve gables, surmounting three storeys of cowled windows; a comfortable, solid west country Elizabethan house."
While staying at Abbots Leigh, Charles deflected suspicion by asking a trooper, who had been in the King's personal guard, to describe the King's appearance and clothing at the Battle of Worcester. The man looked at Charles and said, "The King was at least three inches taller than you."
The original building was demolished around 1812 after the estate, compromising of some 250 acres, was sold to Sir Philip John Miles in 1811, and rebuilt by Thomas Hopper in 1814, just 25 years before construction started on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Externally the architectural style of Leigh Court is Palladian and built of Bath stone. The interior style is Greek Revival and decorated in impressive 19th century décor, with many of the original features still intact.
Philip Miles died in 1845 leaving Leigh Court to his eldest son, William Miles, for whom the Miles Baronetcy of Leigh Court, Somerset was created in 1859. The house remained in the Miles family until 1915 when it was sold to Rev. Burden of Clevedon Hall. The NHS accepted management of Leigh Court hospital from 1957 until 1985.
In 1988 Leigh Court was sold to a private company and with successive owners the house has been converted for use as office accommodation, weddings, conference and meeting rooms. Retaining many of its original features, the house is now restored to its former splendor. Business West (formerly the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative) assumed ownership in 2004 and it is now their head office. With many other diverse organisations operating from the estate Leigh Court has once again become a vibrant hub of activity in tranquil surroundings.
References
- ^ "Leigh Court". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved 2008-10-11.