Barley Wood occupies a steeply sloping site north east of Wrington. Long Lane forms the estate’s southern boundary, except for the former kitchen garden & orchard which lie to the south. There are panoramic views over the Vale of Wrington as far as the @MendipHillsAONB. 1/

The writer and social reformer Hannah More (1745-1833) owned Barley Wood from 1784 until 1828. The pleasure grounds & small park were laid out to accompany the house built for More in 1801, which she shared with her four unmarried sisters. 2/

Barley Wood House was originally built in a picturesque rustic style with a thatched roof, although it has been substantially enlarged since and now has a tiled roof. 3/

https://maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/?edition=nsom&layer=Community%20layer&x=347927.87&y=163037.19&extent=478.04

The house is situated on the western side of the estate. Wooded pleasure grounds, with walks dating from Hannah More’s ownership, lie to north & south & the parkland extends eastwards from the house & is sparsely planted with trees, with some exotic species. 4/

In 1828 Hannah More sold Barley Wood to William Henry Harford, who later passed it to his son. Henry Wills, director of the Imperial Tobacco Company, bought the estate in 1897. He extended the house in 1901 & also added new gardens between 1901-1911. 4/

Image @HistoricEngland

Attributed to the landscape architect & garden designer Harold Peto, the project added terraces, yew hedges, a tiled stone pavilion, a pond, a wooden pergola. The parkland was re-landscaped & a walled garden supplying fruit and vegetables to the house was created. 5/

Captain Douglas Wills bought Barley Wood in 1921. Following his death in 1973 the estate was purchased by the HAT Group Ltd. The kitchen garden & orchard were sold off & fell into decline until the present owner carried out a significant restoration programme. 6/

7/ The Barley Wood estate was listed Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks & Gardens in March 1998. The house has been listed Grade II since January 1987.

You can explore the area around Barley Wood & Wrington with this walk: https://bit.ly/37QvvHn 

#WeLoveNorthSomerset