Closure fears for manor house

8:41am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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A TUDOR manor house built to impress Henry VIII could soon be closed to the public.

Acton Court, in Iron Acton, is owned by private firm Rosehill Corporation, but despite a £20million investment by English Heritage, the future of the archaeological site is in doubt.

There had been fears the firm would turn Acton Court, extended for the King and his second wife Anne Boleyn's visit in 1535, into a hotel or apartments.

The company's plans are still unclear but the number of days the house and gardens will be open to visitors will reduce dramatically in two years.

Resident artist and house manager Lisa Kopper said: "For the next two years we will continue to open for the required 60 days a year.

"After that it will go down to 28 days a year for 10 years, but by 2020 we just don't know what will happen."

Lisa, who has been living in and looking after the house for eight years, said this was one of the last summers people would easily able to delve into Acton Court's history.

Registered guide David Brace, who regularly shows visitors where Henry VIII slept for just one night during the monarch's tour of the South West, said: "It will be such a shame if the house isn't opened for tours.

"We don't know what will happen so people should take the opportunity to see this place now or in the next two years."

No one from the Rosehill Corporation was available for comment.

Acton Court was owned by the Poyntz family from 1364. Ambitious son Nicholas Poyntz, the owner during Henry's reign, proved his loyalty to the King by building a magnificent new east wing on to the existing moated manor house.

The lavish new wing was built in just nine months and boasted the King's own en suite garderobe.

The extension has seen important archaeology finds and is regarded as a rare example of 16th century royal state apartments with some of the country's finest Tudor decor, including a painted frieze which can still be viewed in part today.

The grade II listed building was sold as a farmhouse in 1680 and was dilapidated until English Heritage carried out painstaking conservation work.

The house opened for the summer season two weeks ago and is open every day except Monday for tours. Special events include: * Sunday, July 13 Henry VIII King and Court talk by author and historian Alison Weir.

* Saturday, July 19 Painting day.

* Sunday, July 27 Meet the Music Makers with a 16th century instrument maker.

* Tuesday, July 29 and Wednesday, July 30 Tudor cookery.

* Sunday, August 3 Sundials talk by clockmaker Sir George White and sundial maker Joanna Migdal.

* Thursday, August 14, Friday, August 15, Sunday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 19 Candlelit tours with Lady Joan Ponytz.

* Sunday, August 24 A Concert for the King with the Madrigirls.

For tickets to all events or to book a place on a tour of Acton Court visit actoncourt.com or call 01454 228224.