Frampton Court is an old historic property thought to be a reconstruction of earlier edifices on the site of the village Manor House. The Domesday Survey of 1086 records the manor of Frampton Cotterell held by Walter the Gunner (Balistarius).

Members of the Cotele family were lords of the manor throughout the 13th century and from them the village is partly named. In 1275 Sybil Cotele obtained a licence from the Bishop of Worcester to build an oratory (private chapel) within the manor dedicated to St Margaret where a chaplain could conduct divine service.

Today Frampton Court is an assemblage of residential and agricultural buildings with outbuildings all constructed from red pennant rubble stone, dating largely from the 17th century. One building is aligned north/south with two further buildings at right angles to it, pointing east/west towards the River Frome. Between these buildings was the main entrance with splendid stone over-mantle set within a small paved courtyard enclosed for security.

17th century restoration

The Seymour family who owned the manor for over a century from 1559 was probably responsible for the 17th century rebuilding of Frampton Court. Listed within the Inventory dated 1686/7 at the death of Harry Symes also his wife Anne, are 7 living-rooms, 5 bedrooms, and 6 service-rooms, including a porch-chamber, gallery and chapel. The porch-chamber and gallery are relics from the medieval building whilst a chapel indicates the oratory of 1275 was preserved. The rounded arch of a former doorway into the courtyard is a relic from that rebuild.

Court Farm

The 1686 Inventory included several farm buildings near the house. A medieval custom decreed that villagers devote so many days per week working in their lord’s fields as rent for their own holding, so manors also incorporated a farm. Listed out-buildings included a barn with loft, wagon-house, trap-house, horse stable with loft, tie-up sheds for cattle also pig-sties. A cluster of modern residences is built on the foundations of those farm buildings. The fish pond to the SW was probably dug to augment the diet of residents at the manor.

The Playing Fields at the rear of Crossbow House, known as The Park were once the formal parkland of Frampton Court with a ha-ha or open ditch around its perimeter to keep cattle from straying there, while presenting uninterrupted views from the house. Remnants of this ditch exist between the stone walls of Park Row, also beyond a hedge bordering the tennis courts.

Schedule of Owners

After occupation by the Cotele’s, in 1313 Walter Gasselyne purchased the manor, and it stayed in his family till 1437 recorded in deeds as Gastlynges Court. Next came the Poyntz family who are associated with historic Iron Acton Court, then in 1559 the Seymours acquired these manor buildings. Throughout the 19th century George Bengough, a Bristol solicitor and his heirs owned the property and built a porch with modern door for more convenient access to the farm buildings. Since the Great War the manor lands and property have been progressively split up and disposed of.