Orchard Wyndham

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Orchard Wyndham
Building information
Town Williton
Country England
Completion date Medieval

Orchard Wyndham is a historic house parts of which date from medieval times near Williton, Somerset, England.

There is evidence of occupation of the site from Roman and Saxon times.[1]

The estate was originally called "Orchard", possibly a corruption of the Saxon family name "De Horcherd". In 1448 it then passed into the hands of the Sydenham family of Coombe Sydenham, and was known as Orchard Sydenham. Elizabeth Sydenham inherited the house and in 1528 married John Wyndham of Felbrigg Norfolk.[1] The name of the house changed when Sir William Wyndham, the Member of Parliament for Somerset 1656-1658 and for Taunton 1660-1679, was made a Baronet in 1661, of Orchard, Somerset. The house has remained in the same family ever since.

The house has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building, [2] while the Bailiff's House,[3] Lodge,[4] remains of the walled garden[5] and gate[6] are also listed.

The Giant's Cave which is also known as the Blue Grotto, within the grounds, is a landscape feature in the form of a ruin, dating from the mid 18th century. It consists of large undressed blocks of red sandstone, irregularly placed in sections of wall about 2.5 metres high.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Williton. Quantock Online. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  2. ^ Orchard Wyndham. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  3. ^ Bailiff's House. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  4. ^ Lodge to Orchard Wyndham. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  5. ^ Walls abutting Garden House returned to West and East about 100 metres. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  6. ^ Gate piers and gate at West entrance to Orchard Wyndham. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  7. ^ Giant's Cave. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
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