Our last event of the 2021-22 season was a tour of Acton Court with Rob Bell. The fact that this Tudor house survives is a miracle. When it was discovered it was on the verge of collapse. Rob Bell and Kirsty Rodwell led the team that excavated the site in the 1980s. The house was owned by the Poyntze family. It is a perfect example of how English architecture moved from the late Gothic style in the 1530s to the Renaissance in the 1550s.

The high point in the house’s history was the 1535 visit of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The East Wing was specially built for their weekend visit. Given the speed and method of construction (nine months) it is amazing it did not collapse whilst his majesty was staying there. Unfortunately for the Poyntze family a combination of overspending on the house and backing the wrong side in 1550s led to their decline. By 1680 the family were bankrupt.

We were extremely lucky to be shown around the house by such an expert.