Manor Farm
As has been noted on the Horfield
page above, several farms existed in Horfield, 14 of them bordering the common
itself. These farmsteads were rebuilt, extended, or put to new use over time,
but all except one occupied medieval sites. Two of the most well-known farms are Manor
Farm, and Court Farm. These farms both bordered opposite sides of the North Common.
Manor farm was occupied by the Cox family around the 1830's, and Bristol Records Office holds some documents relating to their time on the farm. We know that Manor Farm was rebuilt in 1887. The farmhouse was knocked down and the area developed into the Manor Farm housing estate in the 1950’s. The original stone well for the farm can still be seen in the front garden of one of the houses which borders the common, it is now grade II listed, and part of the original farm wall also still borders the common.
Manor farm was occupied by the Cox family around the 1830's, and Bristol Records Office holds some documents relating to their time on the farm. We know that Manor Farm was rebuilt in 1887. The farmhouse was knocked down and the area developed into the Manor Farm housing estate in the 1950’s. The original stone well for the farm can still be seen in the front garden of one of the houses which borders the common, it is now grade II listed, and part of the original farm wall also still borders the common.
Court Farm
Court farm stood opposite
Manor farm and is still remembered in the street name ‘Court Road.’ It was
pulled down in 1905, but details about the farmhouse were recorded in the ‘Horfield
Miscellanea’ by the Reverend Fanshawe Bingham, in the early1900’s.
“It was, I think, the oldest building in Horfield, the lower rooms were all panelled with oak, the ceilings plastered and ornamented with panels, formed by prettily designed mouldings raised on the surface.
The ancient large open fire place, with its “Chimney corner,” had been built up in the lower room, and a modern fire gate put in, before I came to the Parish.
In the upper room, over the one just referred to was a curious “Bas-relief” the subject being, “The trial of Abraham’s faith,” I have now learnt (Feb. 1905) – that it was formed in plaster, and broke to pieces, when being removed, and that the panelling of the rooms, has been sold to someone in Bath.
There is little doubt that the “Court Farm” was used by those who served the Parish Church, from S. Augustine’s Monestary; rather than the Manor Farm, which was till re-built, a very small house, though certainly an old one.”
“It was, I think, the oldest building in Horfield, the lower rooms were all panelled with oak, the ceilings plastered and ornamented with panels, formed by prettily designed mouldings raised on the surface.
The ancient large open fire place, with its “Chimney corner,” had been built up in the lower room, and a modern fire gate put in, before I came to the Parish.
In the upper room, over the one just referred to was a curious “Bas-relief” the subject being, “The trial of Abraham’s faith,” I have now learnt (Feb. 1905) – that it was formed in plaster, and broke to pieces, when being removed, and that the panelling of the rooms, has been sold to someone in Bath.
There is little doubt that the “Court Farm” was used by those who served the Parish Church, from S. Augustine’s Monestary; rather than the Manor Farm, which was till re-built, a very small house, though certainly an old one.”