Broomfield
| Published: 16th May 2007 15:22 |
Fyne Court Entrance
Fyne Court, near Broomfield was once the home of Andrew Crosse, an early pioneer of electricity, and is now the HQ for the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the main visitor centre for the Quantock Hills.
First known as the crosse House, later as Fyne Court, it was built by the Crosse family in the early 1600s.
Broomfield's manor House, which was destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1894.
The Crosse bought 400 - 500 acres of Broomfield, letting most of it to small tenant farmers.
Stunning scenery
Mary Ann Hamilton became the first wife of Andrew Crosse, Broomfield's most famous inhabitant (1784 - 1855). Their eldest son inherited the estate but adopted his mother's maiden name as a condition of a large lecacy from that family. After the fire, this line of Hamiltons moved to the Old Parsonage on the Green, now called Fyne Court.
From 1974 The Somerset Wildlife Trust rented Fyne Court and its grounds, now 24 acres. The remaining buildings were restored and in 1977 opened as the Headquarters of the Somerset Trust. This marked the climax of much hard voluntary work, both inside and out-of-doors, considerably assisted by grants from public authorities and charitable trusts.
Fyne Court
Since then The Somerset Trust has flourished and from October 2004, the administrative offices have moved to Wellington, but Fyne Court remains as a nature reserve and an educational facility, with exhibitions etc, in the hall.
Fyne Court is a wonderful nature reserve which can be visited at any time and is free of charge (suggested car park donation of £1). Mainly a woodland reserve it has nature trails (including easy access) and facilities including a shop, toilets and The Courtyard Tea Shop.
Fyne Court
Broomfield, Bridgwater, TA5 2EQ
Tel: 01823 451587
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