Listed Building record MDO15807 - Hurn Court, Hurn, Christchurch

A house thought to occupy the site of a medieval grange of Christchurch Priory. The earliest visible parts of the present building appear to be of late sixteenth-century date, and it was altered in 1806 and again about 1840. Also known as Heron Court.

Heron or Hurn Court, once the country house of the Priors of Christchurch, now the seat of the earl of Malmesbury. <1>

In 1270 the house which stood on the site of Heron Court was a manor farm of the Priory. (4) Cited by NRHE Natural History of Bournemouth (B NSS) 1914 17-18

Heron Court occupies the site of a manor farm attached in early days to the Priory of Christchurch, but not much that is ancient now remains. <3>

The house was rebuilt between 1800 and 1815 and it is extremely doubtful whether any ancient work now exists either within or without. There is no visible trace of antiquity at Hurn Court; the house appears entirely modern and is shortly to open as a school. <5>

Hurn Court, Grade 2*. A large house of irregular plan and varying dates, occupying the site of a Medieval grange of Christchurch Priory. The earliest visible work is of the late 16th century and is an interesting example of the early use of brickwork in this area. The house was altered in 1806 and 1840, and is now of three storeys with plastered walls and slate roofs. <7>

1914, Natural History of Bournemouth (BNSS) 1914, 17-18 (Serial). SDO19820.

<1> 1912, The Victoria history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 5 (Monograph). SWX4005.

<3> Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 1926-27, Proceedings of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society 19, 44-5 (Serial). SWX3827.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1931 (Map). SWX1540.

Heron Court on site of (NAT) Priors House (NR)

<5> Colquhoun, F D, Field Investigators Comments FDC, F1 FDC 26-NOV-51 (Unpublished document). SWX2609.

<5.1> Wallace, T, Oral: Mr T Wallace Estate Agent for Heron Court Heron Farm Christchurch Hants (Verbal communication). SWX8436.

<6> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 (Map). SWX1540.

Hurn Court on site (NAT) Prior's House (NR)

<7> DOE (HRR), 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Christchurch 1976, 50 (Scheduling record). SWX4475.

<8> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map (Map). SDO17396.

(SZ 12179592) Hurn Court (NAT)

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 458414 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 6 2023 9:08AM