Babington House

The village of Babington dates from medieval times. Its name derives from the Babington family, who were once associated with the village,Copographica Genealogica, Vol VIII, John Bowyer Nichols and Son. BABINGTONIA. but it appears to have been for the most part demolished to make way for the house around 1705.{{cite web |url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23717 |title=Park, Babington House, Babington |access-date=3 September 2007 |work=Somerset Historic Environment Record | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201403/http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23717| archive-date= 30 September 2007 | url-status= live}}

The manor was sold by Thomas and Mary Mankham to Joan Elcode, a widow, according to a deed dated Easter 1572. The estate then contained 7 messuages, one cottage, 10 tofts, 1 water mill, 10 gardens, 14 orchards, 300 acres (121 hectares) of land, {{convert|120|acre|ha|0}} of meadow, {{convert|160|acre|ha|0}} of pasture, {{convert|20|acre|ha|0}} of wood and {{convert|120|acre|ha|0}} of furze and carried an annual rent of 4 shillings and {{convert|1|lb|g}} of pepper.{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23716 |title=Deserted medieval village, Babington |access-date=3 September 2007 |format= |work=Somerset Historic Environment Record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233132/http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23716 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}

The estate passed through several hands until it was forfeited to the Crown in 1593. By the late 17th century, the manor belonged to Thomas Pacey who left it to his sister, Margaret. She was married to a Bristol alderman, William Crabb, and subsequently passed the manor on to their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Henry Mompesson of Corston, Wiltshire (1633–1715) who was Sheriff of Somerset in 1698.

The current house was built around 1705 for Henry Mompesson, probably on the foundations of an earlier building which would have been owned by the Babington family. It has since been extensively altered and extended, including in 1790, possibly by John Pinch the elder, for Captain Charles Knatchbull, who had inherited it via Mrs Elizabeth Long, a niece of the Mompessons.

Babington was inhabited by successive members of the Knatchbull family until the house and immediate grounds were sold following the death in 1951 of Mrs Knatchbull, the widow of Wyndham Knatchbull (1829–1900), a captain of the 3rd Dragoon Guards.{{cite encyclopedia |editor1-last=Mosley |editor1-first=Charles | encyclopedia=Burke's Peerage and Baronetage |title=Brabourne |year=1999 |publisher=Burke's Peerage |volume=1 |location=Switzerland |isbn=2-940085-02-1 |pages=348–349 }} Mrs Knatchbull was better known under her maiden name as the pianist and composer Dora Bright.{{cite book |author=Powell, Violet |author-link=Violet Powell |title=The Departure Platform: An Autobiography |year=1998 |publisher=Heinemann |location=London |pages=25–26 |isbn=0-434-00507-X }} In April 1939, BBC Radio broadcast a concert of her playing from Babington House.{{cite web |last=Wenzel |first=Silke |url=http://mugi.hfmt-hamburg.de/Artikel/Dora_Bright |title=Dora Bright |work=Musik und Gender im Internet (MUGI). Musikvermittlung und Genderforschung |publisher=Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=18 December 2014 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218225329/http://mugi.hfmt-hamburg.de/Artikel/Dora_Bright |archive-date=18 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Adjacent to Babington House is the Grade I listed Church of St Margaret, which is owned and operated by the St. Margaret's, Babington, Charitable Trust.{{NHLE |num=1177624 |desc=Church of St Margaret|access-date=3 September 2007}} The Grounds of Babington House are listed Grade II in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England.{{NHLE|desc=Babington House|num=1001137|access-date=9 February 2016}}

In 1998, Nick Jones who had founded the Soho House club in Soho, London bought the property. He converted it to a hotel, club and wedding venue for the London members of the Soho House club, as well as for new Somerset members. The property is also part-owned by actor Neil Morrissey.

In that year, Jones was cautioned by police after eleven Polish illegal immigrants were found working at the hotel.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1320820/Celebrities-hotel-risks-fine-over-immigrants.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Celebrities' hotel risks fine over immigrants | first=Richard | last=Savill | date=3 February 2001 | access-date=26 April 2010}}

Wedding ceremonies are performed in St Margaret's Church or in the orangery. Weddings for non-members are allowed.{{cite news|title=Babington House, Somerset |url=http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/honeymoons-romantic-breaks/perfect-wedding-venues/page/babington-house,-somerset |newspaper=Condé Nast Traveller |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=18 December 2014}}

File:St Margaret's parish church and Babington House - geograph.org.uk - 3198668.jpg and Babington House]]

• Fat Boy Slim and Zoë Ball,{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20050206/ai_n9501874/ | work=Sunday Mirror | title=Holidays: Bed and bawd | first=Gill | last=Williams | date=6 February 2005}} August 1999
• Nick Jones and Kirsty Young,{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/apr/13/foodanddrink.features8 | title = Wanna be in my club? | first= Rachel | last= Cooke | newspaper= The Observer | date= 13 April 2003 | access-date= 12 July 2011 | location=London}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60335938.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103011234/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60335938.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|title=Nervous Kirsty makes wedding news.(News)|date=1 October 1999|website=highbeam.com|access-date=11 December 2016}} 30 September 1999
• Nirpal Singh Dhaliwal and Liz Jones,{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/nirpal-singh-dhaliwal-me-amp-missus-jones-472395.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Nirpal Singh Dhaliwal: Me & Missus Jones | date=2 April 2006 | access-date=26 April 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100421110912/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/nirpal-singh-dhaliwal-me-amp-missus-jones-472395.html| archive-date= 21 April 2010 | url-status= dead}} 2002
• John Thomson and Samantha Sharp (reception only),{{cite web|url=http://www.wedding-ireland.com/wedding_news.asp |title=Irish wedding news, wedding news ireland |access-date=2010-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917174633/http://www.wedding-ireland.com/wedding_news.asp |archive-date=17 September 2012 }} May 2005
• Natasha Kaplinsky and Justin Bower,{{cite web|url=http://shop.rexfeatures.com/low.php?xp=gm&xg=5175 |title=Natasha Kaplinsky |access-date=3 September 2007 |format= |work=Rex Features |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927042241/http://shop.rexfeatures.com/low.php?xp=gm&xg=5175 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} 21 August 2005
• Lucy Benjamin and Richard Taggart,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/2006/03/31/east-ender-lucyweds-115875-16886115/|title=Mirror Online: The intelligent tabloid. #madeuthink|work=mirror.co.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}} 30 March 2006
• Angela Griffin and Jason Milligan,{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} 31 July 2006
• Clive Standen and wife Francesca, 2007
• Richard Bacon and Rebecca McFarlane (reception only),{{cite web|url=http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2008/01/13008-bbc-radio-star-richard-bacons.html |title=BridalStars Celebrity Weddings: 13008: BBC Radio Star Richard Bacon's Wedding |access-date=2010-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205043710/http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2008/01/13008-bbc-radio-star-richard-bacons.html |archive-date=5 December 2008 }} 17 January 2008
• Danny Goffey and Pearl Lowe,{{cite web|url=http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2008/12/120608-pearl-lowe-and-danny-goffeys.html |title=BridalStars Celebrity Weddings: 120608: Pearl Lowe and Danny Goffey's Wedding |access-date=2010-01-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223002026/http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/2008/12/120608-pearl-lowe-and-danny-goffeys.html |archive-date=23 December 2008 }} 4 December 2008
• Amanda Holden and Chris Hughes, 10 December 2008
• Jenni Falconer and James Midgley,{{cite news|last1=Oddy|first1=Jane|title=TV presenter Jenni Falconer on marriage, motherhood and how her love of running helped her stay in shape after childbirth|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/tv-presenter-jenni-falconer-marriage-2240373|access-date=31 May 2017|work=Daily Record|date=1 September 2013}} 3 June 2010
• Damien Duff and wife Elaine (reception only),{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/duffer-gets-over-the-hand-of-henry-by-taking-elaines-hand-in-marriage-2223729.html|title=Duffer gets over the Hand of Henry by taking Elaine's hand in marriage - Herald.ie|work=herald.ie|access-date=11 December 2016}}Somerset Guardian, 24 June 2010 17 June 2010
• Amanda Lamb and Sean McGuinness,{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/im-building-happy-family-says-2712495 |title=I'm building a happy family, says TV presenter Amanda Lamb |first=Steve |last=Hendry |date=10 November 2013 |work=dailyrecord.co.uk |access-date=11 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222062255/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/im-building-happy-family-says-2712495 |archive-date=22 December 2016 }} June 2012
• Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Taylor-Johnson,{{cite web|url=http://www.sheptonmalletjournal.co.uk/50-Shades-Grey-film-directed-Sam-Taylor-Johnson/story-19367650-detail/story.html |title=Latest Somerset Shepton Mallet news - Somerset Live |work=sheptonmalletjournal.co.uk |access-date=11 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522213458/http://www.sheptonmalletjournal.co.uk/50-Shades-Grey-film-directed-Sam-Taylor-Johnson/story-19367650-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 May 2014 }} 21 June 2012
• James Corden and Julia Carey,{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/09/16/james-corden-ties-the-knot-to-julia-carey-in-lavish-250000-wedding-575805/|title=James Corden ties the knot to Julia Carey in lavish £250,000 wedding|last=metrowebukmetro|date=16 September 2012|work=metro.co.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}} 15 September 2012
• Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner,{{Cite web | url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/jamie-dornans-proposal-wife-amelia-6579942 | title=Jamie Dornan on how he proposed to wife Amelia Warner | date=6 February 2022 }} 2013
• Katherine Kingsley and Dominic Tighe, 25 June 2013
• Professor Green and Millie Mackintosh, 10 September 2013
• Lucie Cave and Ben Lunt,{{cite web|url=http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/BrideChores/bride-boggles-wedding-blog-invitations|title=Grazia Daily UK Official - Fashion News - Celebrity - Hair - Magazine|work=graziadaily.co.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}} 4 September 2014
• Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshawe, 15 December 2014
• Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman, September 2015 {{Cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2019031370797/tanya-burr-split-husband-jim-chapman/|title=Celebrity split: Tanya Burr and husband Jim Chapman part ways after 3 years|date=13 March 2019|website=Hellomagazine.com|access-date=9 December 2021}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34170022/youtubers-tanya-burr-and-jim-chapman-get-married|title=YouTubers Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman get married|work=bbc.co.uk|date=6 September 2015|access-date=11 December 2016}}
• Michael Arden and Andy Mientus, 18 August 2016 {{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/andy-mientus-michael-arden-married/08/2016/|title=Broadway Boys Andy Mientus And Michael Arden Got Married|work=newnownext.com|access-date=11 December 2016}}
• Chris Hayden and Mairead Nash, the former drummer and the manager of Florence and the Machine, 22 September 2016 {{Cite web|url=http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/courtney-love-nick-grimshaw-and-more-in-frome-for-wedding-of-florence-the-machine-couple/story-29742754-detail/story.html|title=Courtney Love, Nick Grimshaw and more in Frome for wedding of Florence + The Machine couple|date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928104943/http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/courtney-love-nick-grimshaw-and-more-in-frome-for-wedding-of-florence-the-machine-couple/story-29742754-detail/story.html|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=28 September 2016}}
• Eoin Morgan and Tara Ridgway, November 2018 {{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/cricket/1153068/Eoin-Morgan-wife-Tara-Ridgway-England-Cricket-World-Cup-final-news|title=Eoin Morgan wife: Who is England captain married to? Will she be at World Cup final?|first=Andy|last=Wilson|date=14 July 2019|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=9 December 2021}}

To the north of the House are lawns planted with 19th-century specimen deciduous and coniferous trees and ornamental shrubberies. From here there are views north and northeast across the park beyond the former northwest drive towards the grounds of Ammerdown House, Kilmersdon.

Within the grounds a chain of five informal pools lies in a shallow valley about {{convert|70|m|ft|0}} west of the House. The pools are surrounded by mixed specimen trees and shrubberies. A walk on the western side of the pools leads to a kitchen garden southwest of the House.

The house of mainly Georgian architecture has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.{{NHLE |num=1177567 |desc=Babington House |access-date=3 September 2007}} The 18th-century stable block and coach house have now been made into three separate dwellings.{{NHLE |num=1058688 |desc=Stables and coach house adjacent to Babington House |access-date=3 September 2007}} The grounds also contain a listed ice house{{NHLE |num=1177612 |desc=Ice house in grounds to south-west of Babington House |access-date=3 September 2007}} and two sets of gates, which are Grade II listed.{{NHLE |num=1345117 |desc=Gate piers and flanking walls with secondary piers at former driveway entrance to Babington House |access-date=3 September 2007}}{{NHLE |num=1345079 |desc=Pair of gate piers at former entrance to driveway to Babington House adjacent to Charity Cottage |access-date=3 September 2007}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Babington House}}

• [https://www.babingtonhouse.co.uk Babington House]

Category:Buildings and structures in Mendip District

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Category:Grade II listed buildings in Mendip District

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Category:Country houses in Somerset

Category:Grade II* listed hotels

Category:Grade II* listed houses in Somerset

Category:Grade II listed parks and gardens in Somerset

Category:Wedding chapels

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