Lytes Cary Manor |
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Lytes Cary Manor is the quintessential English manor house, surrounded by neat formal gardens of clipped yews and set amidst a wonderful Somerset landscape.
The modest stone manor house was built by the Lyte family in 1286 and was gradually extended over the 500 years they were in residence. The family emblem of a swan can be seen on the gable above the entrance porch.
The house is reached up a short flagged path which leads to the heavy wooden door.
The chapel with its traceried windows adjoins the house and was built by Peter Lyte around 1343. The painted frieze with its red, yellow and white coats of arms stands out against the whitewashed walls and dates back to the
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The Great Tudor Hall was added around 1450 and the impressive Great Chamber with its fine plasterwork ceiling was finished in 1533. The interlaced hexagons and diamonds are studded with colourful heraldic bosses.
Just off the Great Hall is a smaller oriel-shaped room where the family would have dined away from the servants. It rises to the full height of the house with carved angels looking down from the lofty rafters.
The majority of this small manor house dates back to the 16th century when John Lyte was the owner. The Great Parlour was probably added later and has early 17th century panelling. The north and west extensions were constructed in the 18th century yet were built in keeping with the age of the old house and still have a feeling of great antiquity.
One of the Lyte family who made a great impression on the estate was John Lyte's son, Henry. He was a noted horticulturist and in 1558 he created a botanic garden at Lytes Cary Manor. He went on to publish a book, the "Niewe Herball" in 1578, translated from the work of Flemish herbalist, Dodoens. He dedicated it to Queen Elizabeth I and it
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After the Lyte's family departed in 1748 the house was neglected and by the 20th century the manor had become derelict. It was rescued in 1907 by Sir Walter Jenner who painstakingly restored the interior in period style. He also worked on the garden, creating a small Arts and Crafts garden with a series of hedged outdoor rooms, adding topiary, statues and colourful herbaceous borders.
The gardens continue to be immaculately kept and are a delightful part of any visit to Lytes Cary Manor. The open lawns, tranquility pool with statues of Flora and Diana, the orchard and hidden paths are all designed to reveal some surprisingly lovely views of this area.
The shady tunnel of hornbeam and the secret garden are particular pleasures to enjoy. There is also a herb border, stocked with the plants mentioned in the "Lyte's herbal" book.
The property was bequeathed to The National Trust by Sir Walter Jenner in 1949 and the Trust has continued to use his design to replant the beds in the Arts and Crafts style. There is a small kiosk serving refreshments and a shop selling garden plants and gifts.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
House, Garden, Shop and Catering: 12th March - 30th October: Monday - Wednesday and Friday - Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm. Estate Walks: Open all year: Daily Dawn till dusk. Open: Good Friday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Closes dusk if earlier. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets):House and Garden: Adult £8.10 (£7.30); Child £4.10 (£3.70); Family £20.30 (£18.30). Garden Only: Adult £5.75 (£5.20); Child £2.95 (£2.05) |
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Directions
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Bus Services: First 377 Wells-Yeovil, 54/A/B/C Taunton¿Yeovil (passing close Taunton ). Both pass within ¾ mile Yeovil Pen Mill . Alight Kingsdon, 1 mile. Cycling: View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website. By Road: Near village of Kingsdon, off A372. Signposted from Podimore roundabout where A303 meets A37. By Train: Yeovil Pen Mill 8½ miles; Castle Cary 9 miles; Yeovil Junction 10 miles. Ordnance Survey Reference: 183:ST529269 |
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Lytes Cary Manor Postcode for SatNav: TA11 7HU |
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