Toddington Manor History - Adam-Stanford.co.uk

History of Hanbury-Tracy and the Manor

Charles Hanbury was born at Pontypool Park, Monmouthshire on 28th December 1778 of a family deriving its wealth from the ownership of the Pontypool Iron Works. He was educated at Rugby and Christ Church College, Oxford, In 1798 he married his cousin, Henrietta Susanna, daughter and heiress of Henry, eighth and last Viscount Tracy of Rathcoole (Dublin), owner of the large estates of Toddington in Gloucestershire and Gregynog in Montgomeryshire. A few days before his marriage Charles added by Royal Licence the name of Tracy to that of Hanbury. The newly married couple settled at Toddington Manor In the Jacobean mansion, the ruins of which stand in Toddington Park near the church. It was damp, and partly destroyed by fire in 1800. On being renovated, the house was attacked by dry rot, and this led Charles Hanbury Tracy to build the present house on higher ground. He was his own architect and attempted in his plans to adapt the Gothic style (which was being revived in England) to domestic architecture. In March 1820 he laid the first stone of the building which was to cost him more that £150,000 and was to occupy his constant attention for fifteen years.

(Toddington House has been ascribed to Sir Charles Barry, but there is sufficient contemporary evidence to prove that Barry had no hand in its design or building). To us the Gothic style is exceptionally appropriate for ecclesiastical architecture, but to Hanbury Tracy and his contemporaries the style had great appeal for its picturesque qualities (scenic effects, variety of detail, beauty and grandeur). This is enhanced by landscaping, which seems to have been part of Charles Hanbury Tracy's scheme, but which was carried out on his death by his son, Thomas.

Aerial view from a balloon of the Gothic style Toddington Manor - Gayle Rimell
Photo: Gayle Rimell
The Stable Yard with its Stables and Coach House can be seen enclosed within a unique indoor vaulted Ride
(on the right above).

Charles entered Parliament as Whig Member for Tewkesbury and was appointed Chairman of the Commission to judge the designs for the present Houses of Parliament. In 1838 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sudeley of Toddington. He died in Toddington in 1858 on 10th February at the age of 79 and was buried beside his wife in the Parish Church. He had left £5000 for the provision of a fitting memorial to himself and his wife. (The motto of his coat of arms runs, Memoria Pii Aeterna, ie The Remembrance of the Good Man Last for ever).

Toddington is remarkable for the variety of its elevations - the severe castle-like East Side with its prominent buttresses, its square towers and its octagonal turrets; the High Gothic North Front reminiscent of an Oxford College with its Tower having affinity with Magdalen Tower, Oxford - but without being a replica - the tracery of the Grand Staircase Window, the intricate stonework about the Entrance, the Bay Windows, supported on fan-vaulted corbels, and the castellation, the sober West Elevation with its identical windows based on some that have now disappeared from Christ Church College Cloisters, Oxford, and flamboyant Gothic of the South seen at its zenith in the so-called Chapel Wing. (The heads of monarchs on the South side are recognisable where they haven't been broken in the re-building of the house, Wolsey and Henry VII eye each other across the Council Room window; the first on the first floor is possibly Ethelred the Unready).

From a variety of sources, including the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society TRANSACTIONS FOR 1969. Vol. LXXXVIII

			Toddington Manor, Toddington, Gloucestershire, England History of the Estate - Avicenna Foundation - St. Andrews Church - 3104th Sig Serv Bn. 1944



			History of Hanbury-Tracy and the Manor Charles Hanbury was born at Pontypool Park, Monmouthshire on 28th December 1778 of a family deriving its wealth from the ownership of the Pontypool Iron Works. He was educated at Rugby and Christ Church College, Oxford, In 1798 he married his cousin, Henrietta Susanna, daughter and heiress of Henry, eighth and last Viscount Tracy of Rathcoole (Dublin), owner of the large estates of Toddington in Gloucestershire and Gregynog in Montgomeryshire. A few days before his marriage Charles added by Royal Licence the name of Tracy to that of Hanbury. The newly married couple settled at Toddington Manor In the Jacobean mansion, the ruins of which stand in Toddington Park near the church. It was damp, and partly destroyed by fire in 1800. On being renovated, the house was attacked by dry rot, and this led Charles Hanbury Tracy to build the present house on higher ground. He was his own architect and attempted in his plans to adapt the Gothic style (which was being revived in England) to domestic architecture. In March 1820 he laid the first stone of the building which was to cost him more that £150,000 and was to occupy his constant attention for fifteen years. (Toddington House has been ascribed to Sir Charles Barry, but there is sufficient contemporary evidence to prove that Barry had no hand in its design or building). To us the Gothic style is exceptionally appropriate for ecclesiastical architecture, but to Hanbury Tracy and his contemporaries the style had great appeal for its picturesque qualities (scenic effects, variety of detail, beauty and grandeur). This is enhanced by landscaping, which seems to have been part of Charles Hanbury Tracy's scheme, but which was carried out on his death by his son, Thomas. Photo: Gayle Rimell The Stable Yard with its Stables and Coach House can be seen enclosed within a unique indoor vaulted Ride (on the right above). Charles entered Parliament as Whig Member for Tewkesbury and was appointed Chairman of the Commission to judge the designs for the present Houses of Parliament. In 1838 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sudeley of Toddington. He died in Toddington in 1858 on 10th February at the age of 79 and was buried beside his wife in the Parish Church. He had left £5000 for the provision of a fitting memorial to himself and his wife. (The motto of his coat of arms runs, Memoria Pii Aeterna, ie The Remembrance of the Good Man Last for ever). Toddington is remarkable for the variety of its elevations - the severe castle-like East Side with its prominent buttresses, its square towers and its octagonal turrets; the High Gothic North Front reminiscent of an Oxford College with its Tower having affinity with Magdalen Tower, Oxford - but without being a replica - the tracery of the Grand Staircase Window, the intricate stonework about the Entrance, the Bay Windows, supported on fan-vaulted corbels, and the castellation, the sober West Elevation with its identical windows based on some that have now disappeared from Christ Church College Cloisters, Oxford, and flamboyant Gothic of the South seen at its zenith in the so-called Chapel Wing. (The heads of monarchs on the South side are recognisable where they haven't been broken in the re-building of the house, Wolsey and Henry VII eye each other across the Council Room window; the first on the first floor is possibly Ethelred the Unready). From a variety of sources, including the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society TRANSACTIONS FOR 1969. Vol. LXXXVIII
			Situation of the Manor In the List of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest, Toddington Manor is Grade One listed, which means that it is historically and architecturally of great significance and of national (and I would say international) importance. It is worth noting that of all the listed buildings in England, only 2% achieve Grade One status. The property comprises a substantial Cotswold stone Gothic styled mansion dating from 1819-1835 with some later alterations, together with its outbuildings and approximately 124 1/2 acres of adjoining gardens, grounds and parkland. Within the curtilage of the property there is a Cotswold stone Lodge and a pair of brick and slate semi-detached bungalows. The River Isbourne flows through the property. From the village a pair of wrought iron gates to the side of the Lodge lead to the driveway, which passes through the grounds and leads to a spacious forecourt and the main entrance to the house.
			Archaeology Beside the parish church of Toddington, Gloucestershire, lie the romantic ruins of a Jacobean mansion, its impressive portal and massive pillars suggesting that this was once a great building. - From the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society TRANSACTIONS FOR 1969. Vol. LXXXVIII. In my investigations to do with the Archaeology of the Toddington estate, I have found quite a bit of information. It looks like there is evidence of (possibly continuous) settlement at Toddington Manor, going back as far as the late Iron Age (100ish BC) and possibly further back to the Bronze Age. This is no surprise, but the good thing is that most of the evidence is still just visible in the landscape and as far as I can tell has not been investigated using modern archaeological techniques. From my initial research I have started to define the scope of a project that I will endeavour to complete: ‘The Toddington human occupation story’. I plan to document the settlement remains from the present Manor, it's sixteenth century predecessor, lost village remains, hillforts and burial mounds. All of which appear within the area of the Toddington Manor estate, hopefully gathering and backing up information from aerial photographs, plotting the physical evidence in the landscape and collating historical information.
			History of Use and Ownership Since 1989 the property has remained in the ownership of a company called Toddington Investments Ltd, which I understand is registered offshore, perhaps under the cover of a holding company. The Manor is unoccupied and the building is at Risk. 1976-1989 Avicenna Foundation. Toddington Manor was used as a school for international students during the 1980s until 1985. Click view a leaflet for the Avicenna Foundation. 1972-1976 David Wickens a wealthy entrepreneur who started the famous car auctions. Private owner. 1948-1972 The Congregation of Christian Brothers used the prperty as a Noviciate, and Administrative Headquarters 1939-1945 National Union of Teachers / US Army, before and during the invasion of mainland Europe.The home of 3104th Sig Serv Bn. for a while in 1944 before they sailed for Normandy. There is a selection of photos taken at that time or visit the web site regarding the 3104th Sig Serv Bn. There are a number of these photos of Toddington Manor posted there too. With thanks to Frank Grubbs and his fellow veterans for allowing me to post the 1944 pictures on this site. 1935-19?? Albert Bechely-Crundall and London & Home Counties Property Investments Ltd. 19??-1935 Mr and Mrs Andrews Private owners. 1820-1901 Sudeley family Built and used it as a family home. Toddington Manor Study into Future Use As you are probably aware Toddington Manor is Grade One listed, which means that it is historically and architecturally of great significance and national (and I would say international) importance. Therefore in my conversations with the local planning office, it seems that schemes such as hotels, golf courses or anything with drastic plans for change, are completely out of the question. However a sympathetic restoration and modernisation could be achieved and I am sure that, if done well, Toddington Manor could make a superb residence. The specialised skills and craftsmen, stonemasons etc. can be found in the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire area, at places such as Woodchester Mansion, for example. Indeed the general opinion of the local council and I think English Heritage too, is that the Manor is in great need of a private buyer with the will and vision to save the place. I understand that the planning authorities would be more supportive of a private buyer than a corporate one. Profit seeking organisations have already thought twice about the manor because of this and is probably the main reason the place has remained empty for the last 15 years. I would like to add comments about the limited affordable housing problem in Gloucestershire and the Borough of Tewkesbury. With this in mind, is it acceptable for a property to be left empty for over 15 years. As time marches on, the prospect of renovation or conversion to flats becomes increasingly more expensive, as the decay gets worse and the theft of interior features (fireplaces etc) takes it's toll. All the while a wonderful opportunity to create housing for an increasing number of people able to purchase the kind of flats and apartments that could be created in Toddington Manor, is missed. Indeed is it acceptable for the United Kingdoms unique and globally important heritage, which is worth billions in revenue from tourism and prestige for British industry, to be kept in a state of neglect to the point of eventually rotting and crumbling to nothing? A solution needs to be low impact on the local environment and community, but with enough revenue generation to eventually lead to a sustainable future for Toddington Manor. We need to find a billionaire who would like a historically correct restoration of a country house in the Cotswolds as a project to fund over a number of years with the aim of having something very special to leave for future generations to appreciate. It could then be used for corporate events, speciality holiday breaks, country auctions, book fairs, film making etc. to generate the revenue for running costs. Hopefully local charities could also benefit by using the grounds and facilities as well, for example the indoor riding chambers could be used by charities who take disabled children horse riding. Anyway I can suggest lots of ideas for doing something good with the place, but at the end of the day it all boils down to money, which is very sad. The Manor, Deer Park and lodges were for sale at £3.2m ($4.44m). However in the summer of 2003 a controvercial Planning application was presented to Tewkesbury Borough Council by Warners Holidays, who are hoping to purchase the Manor and turn it into an Historic Hotel with the addition of new buildings in the grounds. If you have any further information, ideas or you would like to be added to my email list for updates, then please email me at: ads@adam-stanford.co.uk Books For more information see the books: 'The Sudeleys, Lords of Toddington' published by the Manorial Society £14.95 MSGB 104 Kennington Road, London SE11 6RE. 'The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Volume One 1500-1660', Nicholas Kingsley, Phillimore & Co Ltd, 2001. ISBN: 1 86077 124 6 'The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Volume Two 1660-1830', Nicholas Kingsley, Phillimore & Co Ltd, 1992. ISBN: 0 85033 806 9 Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society TRANSACTIONS FOR 1969. Vol. LXXXVIII Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society TRANSACTIONS FOR 1900. Vol. XXIII 'The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire', Sir Robert Atkyns, 1712 and 1768 'Gloucestershire' (The Little Guides), J. Charles Cox, Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1920. 'Heritage of Britain, Great Moments in the Story of an Island Race', Readers Digest 1975. (Has an account of the murder of Thomas Becket for Henry II and how William de Tracy was involved).