Barrington Court
Somerset, England
Photo: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Tony L. Price, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adrian Farwell, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Membership
- Covered by National Trust annual membership - what it costs per visit
- Nearest station
- Crewkerne, 7.0 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Tudor manor house, one of the earliest sizeable buildings acquired by the National Trust
Pinpoint
Ilminster TA19 0NQ
Telephone 01460 241938
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free car park; EV charging points available
- Access
- Blue Badge parking; drop-off point; adapted toilet in Strode House; ground floor of house accessible in manual wheelchairs (Court House currently closed); some uneven paths
- Facilities
- Café, shop, bookshop, picnic area, toilets, EV charging, family-friendly
- Dogs
- Dogs welcome on leads in the estate, garden (except the Kitchen Garden) and parkland; assistance dogs only in the house
- Safety
- Some uneven paths
Barrington Court is a Tudor manor house in Somerset, one of the earliest sizeable buildings the National Trust acquired, set within Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens and a wider estate with workshops and a model farm. As of recent reviews, the main 17th-century mansion has been closed for restoration work, leaving only limited rooms open in the adjoining house - a significant gap reviewers are honest about being disappointed by. The gardens, parking, cafe, and craft workshops remain open and are rated highly in their own right.
At a glance
Who to know
Gertrude Jekyll · provided the planting plans for the Arts and Crafts gardens laid out under the Lyles in the 1920s; the beds today follow Mrs Lyle's own 1960s scheme rather than Jekyll's
Worth the trip
The Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens, which reviewers rate as beautiful and relaxing even with the main house closed.
Before you go
Check before visiting - the main 17th-century mansion has been closed to the public for restoration and reviewers describe it as likely to remain shut for some time, with only limited rooms open elsewhere on site.
What visitors say
Barrington Court reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 2,498 Google reviews
Reviews of Barrington Court are shaped heavily by the main 17th-century mansion being closed for restoration, which several reviewers found disappointing, with one rating it poorly as a result and another calling the limited open rooms of little interest. Despite this, the gardens, footpaths, and artisan workshops selling wood, pottery, and jewellery are consistently praised as beautiful and relaxing, and friendly staff are mentioned repeatedly.
One reviewer flags poor acoustics in the reception area and a slow queue for card scanning as frustrations. Visitors are advised to check the restoration status before planning a trip focused on the house itself.
“Lovely grounds, nice staff.”- Paul, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parking, cafe, workshops with wood, wooden chairs, pottery, jewellery & NT shop selling lovely items.” - Cherry Cheeks (Roberta)
- Facilities
- “The gift shop has the same rubbish that they sell in every NT gift shop with no variation.” - Williamus Rex
Common questions about Barrington Court
Where is Barrington Court?
Barrington Court is in Somerset, England, at Ilminster TA19 0NQ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Barrington Court?
Yes - Barrington Court is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Barrington Court?
The Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens, which reviewers rate as beautiful and relaxing even with the main house closed.
Is Barrington Court a ruin or still intact?
Barrington Court is largely intact - Tudor manor house, one of the earliest sizeable buildings acquired by the National Trust.
