House & Family History: Coughton Court, one of England's finest Tudor houses, has a long and complicated Catholic history, including associations with the Gunpowder Plot. The estate has been owned by the Throckmorton family since the 15th century, which makes it one of the longest continuous family occupations of any English country house. The main staircase from Harvington Hall was installed at Coughton, probably in the 18th century, when Harvington was partially demolished. In 1946 Lady Lilian Throckmorton donated Coughton Court to the National Trust, but stipulated in the deed of gift that the Throckmorton family were to have a 300-year hereditary lease that grants them the right to live in house and, should they wish, operate it as a visitor attraction.

Garden & Outbuildings: The house stands in 25 acres of gardens and features a late 15th century gatehouse and a formal Elizabethan knot garden that was created in 1992.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. IV, 1821.

Country Life: XLIII, 319, 1918.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Thockmorton family; here since 1409.

Past Seat / Home of: John de Throckmorton, 15th century; Sir Robert Throckmorton, 4th Bt., 18th century; Elizabeth Clare McLaren-Throckmorton, until 2017.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: Owned by the National Trust since 1946 and managed by the Throckmorton family

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01789-762-542

Fax: 01789-765-544

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.coughtoncourt.co.uk

Historic Houses Member: Yes