| Mells Manor | |
|---|---|
 Mells Manor taken from the tower of theChurch of St Andrew | |
| Location | Mells,Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°14′31.47″N2°23′31.79″W / 51.2420750°N 2.3921639°W /51.2420750; -2.3921639 |
| Built | 16th century |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Mells Manor and garden walls to rear |
| Designated | 11 March 1968[1] |
| Reference no. | 1058351 |
| Official name | Mells Manor House |
| Type | Grade I |
| Designated | 1 June 1984[2] |
| Reference no. | 1000442 |
  Location of Mells Manor in Somerset | |
Mells Manor atMells,Somerset, England, was built in the 16th century for Edward Horner, altered in the 17th century, partially demolished around 1780, and restored by SirEdwin Lutyens in the 20th century. The house, along with the garden walls, has been designated as a Grade Ilisted building,[1] and is closely associated with the adjacentChurch of St Andrew.[3] The gardens are listed, Grade I, on theRegister of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England.[2]
The building was originally much more extensive than its current appearance, including a north wing, with two thirds of the building being demolished around 1780. It was then used as a farmhouse and subsequently as a school for boys undertaking holy orders.[4]
Mells Manor was purportedly procured by Thomas Horner, who had been entrusted byRichard Whiting, the lastAbbot of Glastonbury, who had concealed several deeds as a gift to King Henry VIII to curry his favour against nationalising the Church of England and seizing church lands. Prior to this, Horner found the deed for Mells Manor, which he kept for himself. This act is referenced in the popular nursery rhymeLittle Jack Horner. An alternative and more likely explanation from Horner's descendants is that the manor was bought from the King's Commissioners in 1543.[5][6]
The house was visited byCharles I and his troops in 1644.[4]
In 1724,Thomas Strangways Horner moved out of the manor house in the village and commissionedNathaniel Ireson to build Park House withinMells Park.[7]
The park is bordered by theMells River.[5] Many sites on the river and its tributaries, owned by the Horners were leased toJames Fussell and his family to establish water-powered mills for the production of iron tools.[8]
The house is a residence of theEarl of Oxford and Asquith.