An 1830 engraving of the house that appeared in "Neale's Views of Seats." The obelisk-topped gatehouse is to the right.
The house, as seen from the park, from a circa 1900 postcard.
Earlier Houses: There was very likely an earlier house on, or near, the site of the 16th century house.
Built / Designed For: Probably built for John Dowel
House & Family History: In 1939 Over Court was requisitioned by the government and used to accommodate American servicemen throughout World War II. After the war the house remained unoccupied; in 1977 it was substantially gutted by a fire. Over Court was completely demolished 1980-81 and new houses erected on the site.
Comments: Nicholas Kinglsey has called Over Court "...one of the best examples of the U-shaped plan [of house] that was so popular in Gloucestershire."
Garden & Outbuildings: The stables and the classically designed mid-18th century gatehouse have been converted into private housing. The Grade II*-listed gatehouse, topped with a prominent obelisk, was almost certainly copied from a design in James Gibbs's 1728 "Book of Architecture." The former park, which was once a 13th century deer park, is today a golf course.
Title: Country Houses of Gloucestershire: Volume One, 1500-1660, The
Author: Kingsley, Nicholas
Year Published: 1989
Reference: pgs. 140-142
Publisher: Gloucestershire: Nicholas Kingsley
ISBN: 0951421700
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Berkeley family, 16th century. SEATED AT 16TH CENTURY HOUSE: John Dowel, 16th century; J.B.B. Dowel, 18th century; Dowel family here until circa 1743. The Rev. Mr. Degge, 18th century. Sitwell family, here from the 18th century until 1832. Cann-Lippincott family, here from the mid-19th century until circa 1947.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No