Barnston Manor

Barnston Manor was built in the 13th century, around 0.75 miles (1.2 km) from Church Knowle in Dorset, England.[1][2] It is on the site of a former Saxon house, which may also have been preceded by a Roman house on the site.[3] Barnston Manor is believed to be one of the oldest houses in Dorset.[4] It has been owned by the same family for 700 years;[4] in the 16th-century it was owned by local MP John Clavell, and in the 17th-century it was lived in by his descendants, until they built Smedmore House.[3]

One chimney in the house is believed to have been added in the 15th century.[1] In the 16th century, Barnston Manor was expanded with the addition of a west wing,[1] as well as stone fireplaces.[2] Since the 16th century, there have been no major upgrades to the building.[1] The former hall in the east wing has been converted into a kitchen and a dairy.[1] The north wing was formerly a chantry chapel, and contains a memorial to the Clavell family.[3] It is believed that the house had a garderobe wing, but this no longer exists.[5] It is also believed to have had a gatehouse and enclosed courtyard until the 19th-century.[6] Barnston Manor contains around 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) of land.[4]

Barnston Manor was later used as a farm;[1] a farm building[7] and two barns[8][9] on the estate are Grade II listed buildings.[4] In 1959, Barnston Manor became a Grade I listed building.[2] In 2018, the building was put up for sale for £1.5 million.[4]

Barnston Manor is built in a T-shape.[1] It is built from rubble stone, with ashlar for the outside front walls, and a slate roof.[2] It is architecturally similar to Old Soar Manor in Kent.[10] The house contains a number of 13th century windows,[1][2] and the south wing is designed as to maximise light.[10] The east wing has a 16th-century stone fireplace, a stone spiral staircase, and 16th-century timbers in the roof.[2] The height of the hall was reduced in the 16th century.[10] The timbers in the west wing roof have been replaced, and the west wing walls are now covered in plaster.[1]