Drayton House has been a family home for nearly a thousand years. It is not open to the public.
The core of the house from the 1300's still survives. The house is especially important for the transformation it had
in the 17th and 18th centuries. With royal connections Drayton attracted many of the craftsmen working at Hampton Court.
There is architecture by Willam Tellman, ironwork by Jean Tijou and inlaid furniture by Gerrit Jenson. The rooms were
altered to Adam style but the house still reflects its medieval origins and is a family home
Lowick Church is a masterpiece of English Perpendicular with its octagonal tower, medieval glass and effigies. It was built
by the Greene family of Drayton House. There is a lavish 15th century chancel and chapel, panel tracery in the windows.
The 1320's glass runs along the upper half of the north aisle windows. The narrative is of the Tree of Jesse. They must have
been reset from an earlier church. Among the monuments is the tomb of Ralph Greene and his wife, one of the finest tombs in England. One of the
effigies is the only one in existence for which a contract survives. The church is described by Simon Jenkins and is among
his top 100 churches.
We will be guided at both sites by Mr B.A.Bailey the archivist to Drayton House. He will also give us a talk about the family
descent and architectural development.
Lunch can be either your own picnic or preordered in the pub. Details later.
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