Pictures of Madresfield

About Madresfield

Off the beaten track, yet only a short distance from Malvern lies the peaceful village of Madresfield. The village is mostly tree lined with a haphazard collection of handsome houses and old, period cottages. The agricultural landscape is typical of rural England, with sweet meadows full of scampering lambs and grazing cattle.

Here, off a quiet winding lane, you will find Madresfield Court, a magnificent mansion-house which is a unique confection of elaborate gables, bays, turrets and tall chimneys crowned by a lofty central tower. Built of russet brick around 1546, for Sir William and Elizabeth Lygon, who later became the Earl's Beauchamp. It is surrounded by a stunning moat which is possibly responsible for its 'dream-like' quality and makes the fact that it was one of the settings for Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, all the more plausible.

One of the finest features of Madresfield Court is the beautiful chapel with a magnificent Arts and Crafts interior. It was built and lavishly embellished by Birmingham craftsmen to celebrate the marriage of the Earl and Countess Beauchamp in 1902. The last Earl Beaucham died in 1979 and the house in now lived in by his niece, Lady Morrison.

The gardens are of special interest in early springtime, when dainty daffodils are in full bloom Madresfield Court is thrown open to the public who flock here in huge numbers to witness for themselves this centuries old house, bathed in the glow of early spring sunlight matched by golden, swaying flowers. Beautiful throughout the year, it is then the gardens are at their best. There is a formally laid out garden which is a riot of colourful plants, flowers and shrubs. There is old garden statutory, a rock garden, yew garden, a maze and herbaceous border, lovely tree lined avenues and a wild garden.

All of this is within sight of the Malvern Hills which were inspirational to the music of Edward Elgar. Not only is it inspiring countryside but it also calm and relaxing, where civilisation is on your doorstep and yet you feel a million miles away.

Madresfield Court is open at certain times throughout the year.