Where is Coughton Court?
Coughton Court is in Coughton, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5JA. It is near the A435 Birmingham Road, via Coughton Fields Lane.
In brief
The Throckmorton family have lived at Coughton in Warwickshire since 1409. Throughout that time they have been Catholic, and by the 16th and 17th centuries they hid Catholics (from Protestant agents in a priest hole). The hall was involved in the Gunpower Plot of 1605. The National Trust have owned Coughton Court since 1946, although the family still live in The North Wing of the house.
The West Front of Coughton Court (May 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown
Coughton Court - history
The estate at Coughton has been owned by the Throckmorton family since 1409. The estate was acquired through marriage to the De Spinney family. Coughton was rebuilt by Sir George Throckmorton, the first son of Sir Robert Throckmorton of Coughton Court, by Catherine Marrow, daughter of William Marrow of London.
The great gatehouse was dedicated to King Henry VIII by Throckmorton, a favourite of the King. After his death, Coughton passed to his eldest son Robert. The family were practising Catholics, and the house contained a priest hole, to hide priests when Catholics were persecuted by the law in England
The hall was involved in the Throckmorton Plot of 1583 to killed Queen Elizabeth I, and was also part of the story of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
The National Trust has owned Coughton since 1946, although the family have a 300 year lease and previously managed the property on behalf of the trust. But by 2007, management of the hall reverted to the National Trust. The family tenant was Clare McLaren-Throckmorton, until she died in October 2017. Her son and his family now lives in the private apartments in The North Wing.
Coughton Court from the top of the Tudor Gatehouse (May 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown
Coughton Court from the Formal Garden (June 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown
Dining Room at Coughton Court (June 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Parlour at Coughton Court (May 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Saloon at Coughton Court (June 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown
Contact details
Coughton Court
Coughton
Alcester
Warwickshire
B49 5JA
01789 400777
coughtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk
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