Part of Wiltshire Courts Garden mansion to re-open

Part of the mansion will reopen to people visiting the gardens on its grounds

Part of a grade-II listed historic mansion house with its own country garden are to reopen to the public.

Wiltshire Council has approved the application to open part of Courts Garden, a property that has belonged to the National Trust since 1943.

A tea room was open in the house, in Holt, until the most recent commercial tenancy ended in 2021.

The National Trust since decided to use its dining hall and drawing room as a reception space for garden visitors.

It said its plans were shared with the local Parish Council and residents and the response it received was "overwhelmingly positive."

The house was built around 1720 and was the home of a wealthy local clothier from nearby Bradford-on-Avon.

One local resident in Holt told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they fully support the plans.

"I am probably the closest neighbour to The Courts," they said.

"I would support it even more if it was coupled with demolition of the hideous and out-of-place wooden shed the National Trust erected in front of the house as their entrance office and which is an eyesore when viewing the front of the house."

'Serve more purpose'

The application said the proposed change of ground floor rooms to visitor use would "begin to re-connect the mansion and garden as they have historically been".

"The garden was designed to be seen from the house and, by offering access to more people, the property will be serving more of its purpose," it stated.

"The Courts Garden is a local community amenity, and a free pass to visit the garden is available to all Holt residents."