Barrington Court neglected
Local people are concerned about the condition of Barrington Court
Dear Restore Trust
We really applaud your efforts to try and encourage the National Trust to move back to its core objectives of looking after buildings and properties. We have growing concerns that some of these seem to be slipping. We have been members for many years and remain so. Sadly, we have numbers of friends who have stopped their membership over recent times. The problem was very much brought to our attention recently.
We live in south Somerset and recently revisited Barrington Court. The previous occasion was in 2023 when we discovered that the Court House was closed, apparently due to the need for roof repairs. Although disappointed, we could at least walk around the outside of the buildings and look through the windows. At that time, we expected that there would be some urgency to undertake the repairs and that anyway the ground a first floors would soon be reopened. Before this recent visit we were surprised to see, from the website, that it still remained closed but thought, at least, we could see something.
At reception we were told that there were two tours, described as the Tale of Two Houses, and decided to join the 1130 tour. As we approached the houses it was obvious that there were barriers around them. In particular, there were ugly steel barriers around the Court House extending between 2 and 3m away from the walls. Inside these, the grounds were quite overgrown and untended and all looking very sad. The rope barriers around Strode House were closer and less intrusive and there was a covered entrance for access.
The guide explained that he was a volunteer and then apologised for the current situation. He went on to explain that the Court House had been closed since after lockdown. As we recall, he said that it was understood that in 2020 the Trust had set money aside to repair the roofs on both houses. Because of lockdown no work could be undertaken and there had been a lot of water ingress down into the lower floors of the house which had caused considerable damage. Apparently temporary repairs have been done to prevent further internal damage. He went on to say that, very sadly, the Court House was now closed indefinitely and before work could be commenced the Trust needed to find, if we heard correctly, over £10m and that he understood it was likely to be some years before it reopens to visitors. He also apologised for the barriers, which had recently been put in place because the gutters and some of the finials were in a poor state. He had no idea when these would be made safe. He then went on to tell us about the history and architecture and was clearly both very knowledgeable and committed.
In fairness to the Trust, there is a very good exhibition in Strode House also telling the story, but the whole appearance outside made us feel very sad and worried. On the tour we were told that Barrington Court was of particular importance as it was the first big house ever owned by the Trust. Quite honestly, we were very disappointed that there seemed no urgency and no indication of where the money would be found.
Equally disappointing is that when we mentioned this to friends, they said that on the day they visited, recently, there were no tours and, after reception, they found nobody who could tell them about the houses.
We hope that the situation in Barrington Court will not result in another “debacle” such as we understand is happening to Clandon House.
Yours
Anon