Memories of Hanham

historybuff, on August 9, 2007, said:

The name 'Hanham Abbots' is derived from the Abbots of Keynsham Abbey who between 1330 and 1539 owned the original Hanham Court and much of the surrounding land. Rumour has it that there are tunnels running under the River Avon to connect the two sites.

The original Court was also mentioned in the Domesday records and was visited by King James II in 1686, the last heir to Kingswood Forest. The present building is considered to be one of the finest mansions in England and dates from the 16th and 17th century.

The tithe barn to the north of Hanham Court dates back to the 15th century, when it would have been used by the monks of Keynsham Abbey to store the 'tithes' collected from the occupiers of the land. Lord's of the Manor West East Hanham Kingswood Forest had in ancient times been granted certain privileges within the Royal Forest, such as cutting timber, and gathering firewood, and pasturing their pigs and sheep.

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