[1][2] The Benedictine nunnery was founded in 1212 by one of the Fitz-Hardinges (or Fitzhardinge), who had been granted the Lordship of the Manor by William Rufus.

[3][4] After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536 the area and buildings were granted by Henry VIII to John Drew, of Bristol, who converted it into a private mansion, renamed Barrow Court.

[5] The original building was converted into a country house in around 1538, largely rebuilt in 1545, and further altered and extended in around 1602 by its owner Dr Francis James into its current E shape, which is the oldest part to survive.

[10] They support sculptures by Alfred Drury representing the "daughters of the year", with January being a young girl at the northern end along to an elderly matriarch representing December at the south, each with flowers suitable to the particular month.

[11] The lily pond with its accompanying pedestals and urns date from the same time,[12] along with other ornamental steps, walls, vases, a sundial,[13] and a mock temple.