Dixton Manor
| Dixton Manor | |
|---|---|
Part of Dixton Manor is visible between the trees. | |
| Location | Alderton, Gloucestershire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°58′22″N 2°01′26″W / 51.97288°N 2.02395°W |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 4 July 1960 |
Dixton Manor is a Grade II*-listed 16th-century manor house in the south of Alderton parish, Gloucestershire, England.
The manor was built for John Higford in 1555.[1][2] In the nineteenth century, it was acquired by Samuel Gist.[1][2] In 1962, it was purchased by Charles Hambro, Baron Hambro.[2][3]
It has been listed Grade II* by English Heritage since 4 July 1960.[1]
History
Dixton Manor dates from around 1555 and stands as an example of Tudor domestic architecture surviving largely intact despite centuries of change.[4] The estate was originally established by a branch of the Higford family, who were prominent local landowners during the Tudor and Elizabethan periods.
Through the following centuries, Dixton Manor remained an active rural seat, with its surrounding farmland and woodland contributing to the local agricultural economy. Archival documents and estate papers held in the National Archives record successive ownership, boundary changes, and leases granted over the generations.[5]
In the 20th century, the manor became linked to the Hambro banking family, who acquired the house as a country retreat. Under their care, Dixton Manor continued to serve as a private family home, blending traditional rural seclusion with discreet refinement.[6]
Architecture
Built primarily from locally quarried stone, Dixton Manor embodies typical features of mid-Tudor country houses, including mullioned windows, steeply pitched gables, and prominent chimneys.[4] Much of the original interior timber work survives, with exposed beams, stone fireplaces, and flagstone floors lending the manor its historic atmosphere.
Restoration
In recent years, the manor has undergone dedicated conservation and restoration work. Local conservation specialists have carried out stonework repairs, roof restoration, and timber preservation to safeguard the building’s historic fabric.[7] The works have aimed to respect the original materials and methods, ensuring the manor remains true to its Tudor origins while meeting modern conservation standards.
Cultural Presence
Dixton Manor has also featured in art celebrating England’s historic country houses. A painting titled Dixton Manor, Gloucestershire captures the house nestled in its rural setting, and is part of the national collection on Art UK.[8] Such representations highlight how the manor’s timeless presence continues to inspire artists and heritage enthusiasts alike.
Current Status
Today, Dixton Manor remains privately owned and is not generally open to the public.[6] Its Grade II* listing ensures it is legally protected for its architectural and historic significance. The house and its grounds contribute to the charm of the surrounding Cotswold landscape, forming part of the rich heritage tapestry that defines rural Gloucestershire.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c British Listed Buildings: Dixton manor
- ^ a b c 'Parishes: Alderton with Dixton', in A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 6, ed. C R Elrington (London, 1965), pp. 189-197 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol6/pp189-197 [accessed 5 May 2015].
- ^ Charles Mosley (ed.), Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage, 1999, vol. 1, p. 1278
- ^ a b c "Dixton Manor (Grade II*)". Historic England. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Records of Dixton Manor". The National Archives. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Inside Dixton Manor, the Hambro family's Gloucestershire retreat". Tatler. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Dixton Manor Project". DA Cook Builders. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Dixton Manor, Gloucestershire". Art UK. Retrieved 5 July 2025.