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Coughton Court

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Coughton Court in Warwickshire is a medieval house, extended in Tudor times and relatively unchanged since then. In 1409 John de Throckmorton arrived to marry into the Spiney family, and the Throckmorton's have lived there ever since.

The Throckmortons were involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Two of the plot's leaders, Francis Tresham and Robert Catesby were grandsons of Sir Robert Throckmorton. In October 1605 Thomas Throckmorton had rented his house out to Eveard Digby, one of the chief plotters, and in November 1605 a group which included some of the wives of the plotters waited at Coughton Court for news from London. Early in the morning on the 6th of November Catesby's servant Thomas Bates galloped up to the house and announced that the plot had failed. The group at Coughton dispersed and Bates rejoined Catesby as he and other plotters made their way to Holbeche House in Staffordshire where they made a last stand.

At Coughton House an exhibition describes the Gunpowder Plot. There is also a priest hole, a hiding place for catholic priests at a time when catholics were persecuted. In the grounds there is a gift shop, restaurant, plant sale and attractive gardens. For schools there are tours and an education pack.

Opening Times: The property is open 15th March to 29th June, Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, from 1st July to 31st August, Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, from 3rd -28th September , Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm and from 4th October to 2nd November weekends only 11am - 5pm. Coughton Court is closed on 14h June and 6th September 2008. To check the web site: www.coughtoncourt.co.uk

Directions: Coughton Court is two miles north of Alcester on the A435, eight miles north west of Stratford-upon-Avon, and eighteen miles south of Birmingham. Click here for an interactive map centred on Coughton Court.

 

Access: disabled visitors may be set down at the house entrance, but cars must park in the car park where there are designated spaces. In the house only the entrance hall, saloon and staircase hall are accessible. All other open rooms are upstairs. There is good access to the shop, restaurant and gardens. There are adapted toilet facilities. Two wheelchairs are available for hire.

Contact:

phone: +44 (0) 1789 400777

web site: www.coughtoncourt.co.uk