Dixton Manor

Dixton Manor is a Grade II*-listed 16th-century manor house in the south of Alderton parish, Gloucestershire, England.^[1]

Dixton Manor
Part of Dixton Manor is visible between the trees.
Location	Alderton, Gloucestershire, England
Coordinates	51°58′22″N 2°01′26″W
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	4 July 1960

The manor was built for John Higford in 1555.^[2][3] In the nineteenth century, it was acquired by Samuel Gist.^[2][3] In 1962, it was purchased by Charles Hambro, Baron Hambro.^[3][4]

It has been listed Grade II* by English Heritage since 4 July 1960.^[2]

History

Dixton Manor dates from around 1555 and stands as an example of Tudor domestic architecture surviving largely intact despite centuries of change.Dixton Manor dates from the mid-16th century and is considered a notable surviving example of Tudor domestic architecture in rural Gloucestershire.^[1]

Through the following centuries, Dixton Manor remained an active rural seat, with its surrounding farmland and woodland contributing to the local agricultural economy. Archival documents and estate papers held in the National Archives record successive ownership, boundary changes, and leases granted over the generations.^[5]

In the 20th century, the manor became linked to the Hambro banking family, who acquired the house as a country retreat. Under their care, Dixton Manor continued to serve as a private family home, blending traditional rural seclusion with discreet refinement.^[6]

Architecture

Built primarily from coursed squared local limestone, Dixton Manor displays typical features of a mid-16th-century country house, including mullioned windows with drip moulds, steep gabled dormers, and tall stone chimney stacks.^[1]

Restoration

In recent years, the manor has undergone extensive conservation and restoration work. Local heritage contractors have carried out stone repairs, structural roof works, and timber conservation to protect the building’s historic character. The project focused on using traditional materials and techniques to retain the original fabric while ensuring the structure remains sound for modern use.^[7]

Cultural presence

Dixton Manor has also been depicted in British art celebrating historic country houses. An artwork titled Dixton Manor, Gloucestershire, painted by John Piper, shows the manor within its rural setting and is held in a public collection listed on Art UK.^[8]

Current status

Today, Dixton Manor remains privately owned and is not generally open to the public.^[6] Its Grade II* listing ensures that the house is legally protected for its architectural and historic interest.^[1] The manor and its setting form part of the rural landscape that characterises this part of the Cotswolds.^[8]

See also

• Alderton, Gloucestershire
• Tudor architecture