If you live or work in Witney, when was the last time you visited Cogges Manor Farm which is less than ten minutes’ walk from the centre? If you’ve not done so for a while, or perhaps have never been, make time this summer to pay a visit. This truly unique property with 1,000 years of history, a 13th century Manor House, an enchanting walled garden lovingly cared for by volunteers and 17 acres of open space for you, your children, and your well-behaved dogs (kept on leads) is a wonderful community space for all ages to enjoy.
The earliest known Norman owner of Cogges was Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror. He granted the Manor of Cogges to Wadard. They both appear on the Bayeux tapestry. Odo seated next to William, and Wadard, who appears as a Norman knight riding a horse, and was recorded as Lord of the Manor of Cogges in the 1086 Doomsday Book. Although its history goes back over 1,000 years, Cogges offers today’s visitors a truly up to date experience. It is a vibrant visitor attraction with a range of poultry, ducks, and other animals such as pigs, goats and two Shetland ponies which help to keep the farming tradition alive. The classical ‘walled garden’ is where you will find a range of vegetables grown for food, an abundance of beautiful flowers and in May, a stunning wisteria adorning the Manor House.
The original Manor House is 13th century. Comprising of four ranges (built in various centuries) are centred around a courtyard, which once stood by the River Windrush. From these original buildings, the 13th-century kitchen and part of the hall survive from one range and the dairy incorporates part of the other range. Unfortunately, the two other ranges were lost although traces of their foundations have survived.
It is thought the original house was built after 1241, when the Archbishop of York Walter de Grey bought part of the Manor of Cogges. Some four years later, he gave Cogges Manor to his nephew, also named Walter. When Walter died, he was succeeded by his son, Sir Robert de Grey. His heirs remained in occupancy until 1485. Various people owned the property during the 16th century before Francis Blake, a wealthy London merchant bought the house with his son William in 1667 and added a second wing to the house. Later, upon his death in 1695, William Blake bequeathed three schoolhouses to be built at Cogges, Newland and Witney; he also funded Witney’s Butter Cross, later becoming High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. The house was sold in 1726 by Daniel Blake to Simon Harcourt and the Harcourt family continued to lease out Cogges Manor Farm until 1922 when the Mawle family, incumbent tenants bought the freehold. The Mawle family continued to live there until 1968 and some of their photos and artwork still hang in the upstairs rooms of the house today.
For nearly 35 years, Cogges was owned by Oxfordshire County Council who converted the house and farmstead into a living museum which depicted rural Oxfordshire life during the Victorian era. However, the museum was closed in 2009 when Council funding was withdrawn. It re-opened in July 2011 when the property was leased by the Cogges Heritage Trust, a charity which cares for and runs Cogges Manor Farm and now owns it. No longer a museum, it has been transformed into an educational and recreational heritage site. With a small management team offering direction, the transition has been achieved by a team of volunteers who have successfully ensured that Cogges Manor Farm is worthy of inviting visitors to enjoy what is on offer.
During 2021, the Manor House was extensively refurbished (thanks to funding from the National Lottery). With the first floor now open to the public, it is worth buying a guidebook as it will take you through the 1,000 years of history, introducing you to the various families who have lived at Cogges Manor Farm.
Two 18th-century barns, once used to store harvested crops of wheat and barley for threshing, now provide a wonderful venue for weddings, craft fairs and other events held throughout the year.
Used as a popular location for film and TV, Cogges Manor House and grounds have appeared several times in series four to six of ITV’s Downton Abbey. Yew Tree Farm, home to the Drewe family, was where Lady Edith’s child was brought up and was later home to Mr Mason.
What was once a museum reflecting rural life around Witney has been transformed into an educational and recreational heritage site. People are given the opportunity through volunteering and undertaking various training opportunities, courses, and workshops, together with school learning activities, to learn new skills in a range of subjects, all available close to the centre of Witney.
The grounds around the old Manor House provide the perfect location for a range of events held throughout the year. These include outdoor theatre on the Manor’s lawn, a beer and cider festival, an Apple Day, the Witch’s House at Halloween and the popular Christmas Craft Fair. Located in the old milking parlour, Cogges Kitchen is an ideally located place to meet with friends or family. It is open daily from 9am to 4pm, you don’t need to buy an entrance ticket to the farm to visit the café and it is dog friendly.
In March 2022, the Cogges Heritage Trust appointed a new Director. Melanie Marsh comes to the venue with extensive experience in managing heritage attractions. “I am delighted to be leading Cogges as it enters the next chapter of its history. This is an exciting time for Cogges Manor Farm, with the National Lottery Heritage funded interpretation programme well underway, transforming its offer to broaden engagement with visitors and the wider community. I am looking forward to collaborating with the incredible team of staff and volunteers to develop Cogges into a leading regional heritage visitor attraction.”
If you would like to volunteer at Cogges, there are plenty of opportunities. Not only will you gain access to this fascinating heritage property, but you will have the chance to make new friends and be part of the local community. There are also land management trainee opportunities for 16–24-year-olds, not in education or employment.
To find out more, simply visit cogges.org.uk
