The Society’s summer outing on 19 June 2025.
Report by Stan Morrissey.
The hottest day of the year didn’t deter us from our planned visit to Acton Court. In a talk last year
, we were told about the building, its history and the families that owned it. Now 31 of us had a chance to see it for ourselves.
Acton Court is a Tudor mansion with medieval foundations, on the Latteridge – Iron Acton road. Built in settled times it was purely domestic, with no pretentions to defence apart from the remnants of a medieval moat. It would be just one of many such houses with forgotten history apart from one significant event – in 1535 Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn visited. The owner, Nicholas Poyntz, constructed an entire new wing for the king’s two-day visit – such was sycophancy in those days. It was built in nine months; maybe modern building projects could learn from this though, to be fair, Poyntz didn’t have to worry about planning and building regulations.
It is still a substantial house but what we see is only a part of the original. Only the ‘new’ East wing and part of the original North Wing remain, the rest having collapsed or been demolished over time.
What did we see? On arrival we assembled in front of a rather plain wall. Looks deceive as we were told that this was once a huge glass window, glass being very expensive and a clear display of wealth. We moved around the outside of the house, spotting anomalies such as one window that was clearly slanted – post-building subsidence we were told. The entire wing was built with very little foundation, so this is no surprise. Other windows have been moved over the years, their original positions still visible.
Also visible were many ecclesiastical features. When Kingswood Abbey was ‘dissolved’ and demolished, it was granted to Poyntz, who promptly removed stone and windows to update Acton Court and Newark Park, which he used as a hunting lodge. The windows, arches and pieces of carved masonry are clearly visible in the walls. Royal patronage has its uses! Asked about the render still attached to a lot of the walls, our guide explained that the walls were originally built without mortar and rendered to keep out the damp, another reason it could be built so quickly. It seems to have survived quite well, but more recently mortar has been inserted between the stones for better sealing, part of extensive renovation in the 1980s after the building became very dilapidated through being used as a farmhouse down the centuries.
Outside the grounds are extensive and wildflowers are abundant. Of special note is the Tudor kitchen garden, replete with lavender (and attendant bees) and a variety of herbs and vegetables.
And so inside. First critical stop, the tea counter and some delicious cake, best part of any outing. Next, on to the King’s apartments. Although he stayed only briefly nearly 500 years ago, the rooms he occupied are still called after him, but they were probably little used thereafter. Although unfurnished, the King’s presence chamber, privy chamber and bedroom bear evidence of their earlier usage, with cross passages and stairs all showing the original timbers, and a magnificent painted frieze only recently uncovered. Of special interest of course were the toilets; the King’s garderobe was not long ago discovered behind plaster and can now be inspected, though not used.
We had a great day. It was really hot and rather uncomfortable (the Tudors didn’t go in for air conditioning) but nothing that a cup of tea couldn’t cure.
Do visit the Acton Court website for more information: .