National Trust, Lytes Cary Manor

Image credit: National Trust Images/Nick Meers

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Lytes Cary, a mediaeval and sixteenth-century manor house, was the home of the Lyte family from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries, notably the herbalist and antiquarian, Henry Lyte (c.1529–1607), who dedicated his Niewe Herball to Elizabeth I. By the twentieth century it had sunk to the status of a neglected farmhouse. It was rescued by Sir Walter Jenner (1860–1948), 2nd Bt, DSO, son of the eminent Victorian physician, Sir William Jenner. He made the property habitable, built a fourth side to the courtyard, laid out a topiary garden in the Elizabethan style, and left the house and much of its contents to the National Trust. As with Avebury Manor, which his brother Leopold restored, and Westwood Manor, which Edward Lister recovered and refurnished, Sir Walter Jenner bought pictures as appropriate furnishings for the house and commissioned horse paintings from George Denholm Armour. In the Chapel, there is a Dutch School seventeenth-century painting of 'Christ Comparing Himself and His Disciples to a Hen and Her Chicks'.

near Charlton Mackrell, Somerton, Somerset TA11 7HU England

lytescarymanor@nationaltrust.org.uk

01458 224471

Before making a visit, check opening hours with the venue

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor