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Despite once being home to a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury, the Great Tew Manor now contains nothing more than empty grand rooms, forgotten memories and a few reminders of its past life.
Despite the owner living on the site, little seems to be happening in terms of refurbishment and the property is falling into a state of sorrow and disrepair. Thankfully however, there is no sign of vandalism or theft so hope remains that this historic building can be restored to its former glory and saved from demolition.
Great Tew Manor…
Visit Date: October 2012
Built in 990, the historic Great Tew Manor was once home to everyone from Norman aristocrats to key members of the Royalist Army during the English War.
This four floor grand manor was originally built for Elfric of Abingdon, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 995. Elfric died in 1005 leaving Great Tew to Saint Albans’s Abbey who leased it out between 1049 and 1052.
You can see all of our images from this location within the gallery below. All of our images are available to purchase in both printed and digital format, for more information, please contact us.
Shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066, William the Conqueror granted the manor
to his step-
In 1611 Sir Lawrence Tanfield, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, bought Great Tew Estate from local landowner Edward Rainsford.
Tanfield deprived the villagers of timer, causing some of the cottages to fall into disrepair and eventually enclosed part of the land in 1622. The majority of the site was not fully closed to public access until 1767 however when parliament passed the Enclosure Act for Great Tew.
Shortly after Tanfield died in 1626, Great Tew passed to his son-
The Great Tew Estate has been owned by the Johnston family since the 1960.
Throughout Great Tew Manor, there are constant reminders of how far the property dates back including a letter sent from Lincoln’s Inn (London) dated 1905.
We really hope that this manor can be restored and soon!
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