Halsway Manor
Encyclopedia
Halsway Manor is a manor house in Halsway, Somerset
, now used as England's National Centre for Traditional Music, Dance and Song. It is the only residential folk
centre in the UK. It is situated off the A358 road between Taunton
and Williton
on the edge of the Quantock Hills
.
, Volume 5.
The eastern end of the building dates from the fifteenth century; the western end is a nineteenth-century addition. The manor house, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book
, is claimed to have been built by Cardinal Beaufort as a hunting lodge. At one point it was occupied by insurrectionist Jack Cade
. Thereafter it was a family home until the mid 1960s, when it became the folk music centre. It has been designated by English Heritage
as a grade II* listed building. There is a ballroom, library and lounge bar with an impressive entrance hall. The latter has oak panelling and staircase, with an open fireplace and barrel ceiling. The mews is now used for accommodation.
In 1859, John Henry Parker
wrote in his Account of Domestic Architecture:
to promote traditional English folk dance, music and song. It operates the manor as a residential centre, running week and weekend courses for groups and individuals. Various clubs meet at Halsway, including West Somerset Morris. Halsway Manor Ltd runs the commercial activities of the manor, with all profits going to the Society. It is also used for weddings and conferences.
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, now used as England's National Centre for Traditional Music, Dance and Song. It is the only residential folk
Folk music of England
Folk music of England refers to various types of traditionally based music, often contrasted with courtly, classical and later commercial music, for which evidence exists from the later medieval period. It has been preserved and transmitted orally, through print and later through recordings...
centre in the UK. It is situated off the A358 road between Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
and Williton
Williton
Williton is a medium-sized village and civil parish in West Somerset, England. It has many of the facilities of a small town, being the administrative centre for the district. Williton is situated at the junction of the A39, A358 and B3191 roads...
on the edge of the Quantock Hills
Quantock Hills
The Quantock Hills is a range of hills west of Bridgwater in Somerset, England. The Quantock Hills were England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty being designated in 1956 and consists of large amounts of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land.The hills run from...
.
Buildings
Halsway manor was held in 1086 by Roger de Courcelles with Alric, the owner in 1066, as his tenant. The manor passed through many owners down to 1965 and these are listed in the Victoria County History for SomersetSomerset Victoria County History
The Somerset Victoria County History is an encyclopaedic history of the county of Somerset in England, forming part of the overall Victoria County History of England founded in 1899 in honour of Queen Victoria...
, Volume 5.
The eastern end of the building dates from the fifteenth century; the western end is a nineteenth-century addition. The manor house, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, is claimed to have been built by Cardinal Beaufort as a hunting lodge. At one point it was occupied by insurrectionist Jack Cade
Jack Cade
Jack Cade was the leader of a popular revolt in the 1450 Kent rebellion during the reign of King Henry VI in England. He died on the 12th July 1450 near Lewes. In response to grievances, Cade led an army of as many as 5,000 against London, causing the King to flee to Warwickshire. After taking and...
. Thereafter it was a family home until the mid 1960s, when it became the folk music centre. It has been designated by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as a grade II* listed building. There is a ballroom, library and lounge bar with an impressive entrance hall. The latter has oak panelling and staircase, with an open fireplace and barrel ceiling. The mews is now used for accommodation.
In 1859, John Henry Parker
John Henry Parker
John Henry Parker CB , English writer on architecture and publisher, was the son of John Parker, a London merchant....
wrote in his Account of Domestic Architecture:
Folk Centre
Halsway Manor Society Ltd was set up as a charity in 1965 by members of the English Folk Dance and Song SocietyEnglish Folk Dance and Song Society
The English Folk Dance and Song Society was formed in 1932 when two organisations merged: the Folk-Song Society and the English Folk Dance Society. The EFDSS, a member-based organisation, was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee in 1935 and became a Registered Charity The English Folk...
to promote traditional English folk dance, music and song. It operates the manor as a residential centre, running week and weekend courses for groups and individuals. Various clubs meet at Halsway, including West Somerset Morris. Halsway Manor Ltd runs the commercial activities of the manor, with all profits going to the Society. It is also used for weddings and conferences.