Visit to Corsham Court – 4th August 2026

Our visit started in St Bartholomew's Church adjacent to Corsham Court with tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival and with time to view this historic church.  

The church, Methuen and Fuller Chapels are built onto the original Saxon foundations and was developed across the Norman, 12th, 15th and 19th centuries. A major restoration by GE Street in 1875-78 included the repositioning of the tower and spire. 

Internal features included the Methuen and Fuller family memorials and the large Tropenell tombs (1475). The Methuen Chapel also features an exquisite alabaster effigy of Lady Methuen and a small child. Stained glass windows by Kempe (with tradesmark Wheatsheaf), Comper and others. 

Corsham Court did not disappoint. We entered through the gate flanked by the Elizabethan stables and the Riding School where we were met by Angus Methuen-Campbell, Heir Successor, who resides in the house.  He manages the house and estate for his uncle James Methuen-Campbell. Angus gave us a brief history of the house and family before taking the group on escorted tour. 

Corsham was a royal manor in the days of the Saxon kings, reputed to have been a seat of Ethelred the Unready. After William the Conqueror, the manor was passed down through the royal family. It often formed part of the dower of the Queens of England during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, becoming known as Corsham Reginae. During the 16th century, the manor went to two of Henry VIII's wives, namely Catherine of Aragon, and Katherine Parr. 

During the reign of Elizabeth I the estate passed out of the royal family. The present house was built in 1582 by Thomas Smythe. The owner of Corsham Court in the mid-seventeenth century was Sir Edward Hungerford, the commander of the Parliamentarian New Model Army in Wiltshire. His wife, Lady Margaret Hungerford built what came to be known as the Hungerford Alms-houses in the centre of town. 

Corsham Court today is a 16th-century country house in a park designed by Capability Brown. The house was bought in 1745 by the Methuen family. The house is noted for its fine art collection, based on the nucleus of paintings inherited in 1757 by Paul Methuen from his uncle, Sir Paul Methuen, the diplomat. The collection features masters from Fra Filippo Lippi to Van Dyck and fine furniture by Robert Adam and Chippendale. The house is Grade I listed  

The Picture Gallery was designed as a triple cube and has a coffered plasterwork ceiling over a high cove stuccoed in scrolls. The Long Gallery contains Italian Old Masters, with a notable marquetry commode and matching pair of candlestands by John Cobb (1772) and four pier glasses designed by Robert Adam (1770). Symmetry was so important when the pictures were hung the paintings were sometimes extended to fit the frames.  

A major part of Corsham Court is now used by Bath Academy of Art (now part of Bath Spa University).  Following the destruction of their premises during World War II they moved to Corsham Court in 1946 with a 100-year lease. The University currently occupy the top two storeys and basement.  

Lunch for the group was at the Methuen Arms where sandwiches, salad and chips kept being replenished. 

Free time after lunch gave members of the group time to explore the town, grounds of Corsham Court including the Lily Pond and Rose gardens, or visit the Hungerford Alms-houses and school.  

Corsham Court is also known for it’s Peacocks. Did we see any? Yes around the grounds and in the town. 

40 members experienced an interesting and superbly organised day. Our thanks to Gillian (Miller)