On a lovely day in early June, a party of 40 members visited the Frampton Court Estate at Frampton on Severn.  Frampton is a truly historic place and the history of the village, the Estate and the Clifford family have always been closely entwined.  Interestingly the surname Clifford came from Clifford Castle in Herefordshire.

The two grandest houses on the Estate – the striking timber-framed 16th century Manor and the splendid 18th century Frampton Court – face each other across the village green, reputed to be the longest in England.  Tucked away in Frampton Court’s Grade 1 listed park and garden is the stunning Orangery while the magnificent 16th century Wool Barn dominates the Estate farmyard at The Manor.

The party had a guided tour of Frampton Court and gardens, a light lunch in the courtyard of The Wool Barn followed by a tour of the gardens at The Manor and then tea.  It was a great pleasure to be accompanied on much of our visit by the owner, Rollo Clifford, whose family have been at Frampton since the Norman Conquest.