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Coughton Court, Warwickshire

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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 Throckmortons have lived here ever since.

The Throckmortons are most famous for their involvement in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Two of the plot's leaders, Francis Tresham and Robert Catesby were grandsons of Sir Robert Throckmorton. In October 1605 Thomas Throckmorton had rented Coughton Court out to Everard Digby, one of the chief plotters. It was here in November 1605 that a group which included some of the plotters' wives waited for news from London. Early in the morning of 6th 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: Open 13th to 28th March 11am - 5pm weekends only.

From 1st April to 30th June, Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm.

From 1st July to 31st August, Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm.

From 1st to 30th September , Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm.

From 1st October to 7th November, Thursday to Sunday 11am - 5pm.

From 4th to 12th December open daily 12 midday - 6pm.

Closed Good Friday, 12th June and 10th July 2009.

Address: Coughton Court, near Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5JA

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:

telephone: 01789 400777

e-mail: coughtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

web site: www.coughtoncourt.co.uk