Elmore Court

Elmore Court is an Elizabethan manor house in the village of Elmore, in the Stroud district of Gloucestershire, a few miles south-west of Gloucester. It has been the seat of the Guise family for centuries and is protected as a Grade II* listed building, a category reserved for particularly important buildings.

How old is it, and what is it like?

The original house was built between 1564 and 1588. John Guise, who died in 1588, began the core of the present building in the late 16th century. It grew over time, with work in the 18th century, a block dated 1807, and an extension around 1869 for Sir William Vernon Guise. The result is a house layered across several periods rather than a single-phase building. Historic England's list entry (number 1090810) dates from 1955.

Who were the Guises?

The Guise family's link with Elmore goes back to the Middle Ages. Sources disagree on the starting point, giving 1262 or 1274, so "roughly seven centuries or more" is the safe summary. The family did not live here from about 1685 until around 1845, when Sir John Wright Guise took up residence. From 1778 part of that gap was filled by a school in the house, whose best-known pupil was the surgeon William Lawrence. Sir Anselm Guise, 6th Baronet, owned the house from 1921 to 1970. The estate now belongs to the 9th Baronet, who inherited it in 2007.

What else is worth noticing nearby?

An early 18th-century wrought-iron gateway south of the house, made for Sir John Guise, has its own Grade II* listing. One source also places the Guise Mausoleum of 1733 in the churchyard of St John the Baptist. The parish church and the village in the Severn vale make a pleasant short walk.

Can you visit?

Elmore Court is a private family home, not a museum with regular opening hours. The house is offered as a wedding and events venue, so check the property's own website for current arrangements before you travel. Without an invitation or booking, expect to see the buildings and gateway only from public roads and paths in the village, and stay off private land.

How do you get there?

Elmore lies a short drive from Gloucester. A car is the easiest option; rural bus services are limited, so check timetables from Gloucester. Approximate coordinates: 51.836 N, 2.317 W.

When should you go?

The Severn vale countryside looks its best from late spring to early autumn. If you are attending an event at the house, the organiser sets the date.

Frequently asked questions

Is Elmore Court open to visitors? Not as a regular attraction. It is a private home, opened mainly for weddings and events. Ask the owners if you want to arrange a visit.

When was the house built? In the second half of the 16th century (1564-1588), with 18th- and 19th-century additions.

What does Grade II mean?* It is the middle of England's three listing grades, covering particularly important buildings. Elmore Court has held it since 1955.

Who owns it? The Guise family. The 9th Baronet inherited the estate in 2007.