Baddesley Clinton
Baddesley Clinton, near Knowle, Solihull, Warwickshire
A moated medieval manor in the old Forest of Arden, with a walled garden, a courtyard garden and lakeside pleasure grounds that make a calm, rewarding visit for garden and history lovers.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Baddesley Clinton?
Baddesley Clinton works best as a garden and house seen together. The moat wraps right round the manor, so wherever you walk the water and old walls set the scene, and the garden is laid out close to the house rather than spread over a vast estate. That makes it an easy, unhurried visit, and a good choice if you want a historic setting without miles of walking.
South of the house is the formal walled garden, used in the past as a kitchen garden, and it is the part most gardeners will linger in. Walled spaces like this show how much shelter a solid boundary gives, and they are full of ideas for training plants against walls and dividing a plot into beds. The central courtyard of the house is also laid out as a garden, a reminder that even a space hemmed in by buildings can be planted well. To the south-west, the pleasure grounds lead down to a small lake, and the parkland to the north and south-east is meadow scattered with trees, with ornamental trees south of the house.
Inside, the house is known for its priest holes, built to hide Catholic priests in the late 16th century, and for the heraldic stained glass and carving added by the Ferrers family. The park and gardens are on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens at Grade II. Allow time for both indoors and out, and combine a circuit of the moat with a walk to the lake for a fuller picture of the estate.
What to see
- Walk the full circuit of the moat that surrounds the medieval manor house.
- Explore the formal walled garden south of the house, once used as a kitchen garden.
- Look into the central courtyard, which is laid out as a garden.
- Follow the pleasure grounds south-west down to the small lake.
- Inside, see the priest holes and the Ferrers family's heraldic stained glass.
Baddesley Clinton through the year
- spring
- Fresh growth in the walled garden and blossom on the ornamental trees make spring a pleasant time for a gentle walk round the moat.
- summer
- The walled garden is at its fullest and the meadow parkland around the house is at its greenest.
- autumn
- The ornamental trees south of the house and the parkland trees colour up, and the walk to the lake is quieter.
- winter
- Bare trees show the shape of the moat and old walls clearly; check the National Trust website for winter opening.
The story behind the garden
The house probably dates back to the 13th century, when large parts of the Forest of Arden were cleared for farming, and the estate took the Clinton name after Mazera de Bisege's marriage to Sir Thomas Clinton in 1290. John Brome, Under-Treasurer of England, bought the manor in 1438, and it later passed by marriage to the Ferrers family, who held it until 1940. Henry Ferrers, known as The Antiquary, made many additions, including the heraldic stained glass that survives in many rooms.
The Ferrers stayed Roman Catholic after the Reformation and sheltered priests in hides said to be the work of Nicholas Owen; a raid in 1591 failed to find anyone. The great hall was rebuilt in brick in the 18th century, when many of the farm buildings also went up. The estate was sold to the National Trust in 1980.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- History lovers and gardeners who want a compact, walkable garden with a moated medieval house at its heart.
- Getting there
- Baddesley Clinton is in the Warwickshire village of the same name, about 8 miles north-west of Warwick and close to Knowle and Solihull.
- Before you go
- Leave time for the house as well as the garden, since the priest holes are a big part of the story. Check the National Trust website for current opening times and tickets.
Source: Wikipedia: Baddesley Clinton
Questions about visiting Baddesley Clinton
Is Baddesley Clinton National Trust?
Yes. The house, park and gardens are owned and run by the National Trust, which bought the estate in 1980 after it had been in the Ferrers family and their relatives for centuries. Check the Trust's website for current opening and membership details.
What is there to see in the garden at Baddesley Clinton?
The main features are the formal walled garden, once used as a kitchen garden, the courtyard garden in the centre of the house, the moat itself, and pleasure grounds leading down to a small lake, with meadow parkland beyond.
Why is Baddesley Clinton famous?
It is best known as a moated medieval manor with priest holes, secret hiding places built for Catholic priests. A search in 1591 failed to find the priests hidden there. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the park and gardens are on the historic register.
How long do you need at Baddesley Clinton?
Most visitors will want a couple of hours to see the house and walk the garden, moat and lake path at an easy pace. Add more time if you want to linger in the walled garden or walk further into the parkland.
Garden features
Location
Baddesley Clinton, near Knowle, Solihull, Warwickshire
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