Introduction
Milverton House was built around 1560 and stands on the site of a much earlier house. It has served as a farmhouse, private residence, and as an estate agent and auctioneers. During the 19th century, its timber framing was concealed beneath plaster, remaining hidden until restoration efforts in the 1970s once again revealed the 16th century timbering.
On this Site
It is believed that on the site of Milverton House, once the boyhood home of Walter Cook, the Founder of Knowle Parish Church.
Early Use
In the 19th century Milverton House was a farmhouse owned by the Knowle Hall Estates.
The Berrows and Milverton House
In 1852 the farmhouse was purchased by William Berrow, a doctor, who gave the house its current name – Milverton House.
In 1870, on land next to Milverton House, William Berrow built Nos 4-10 Wilsons Road, known as Milverton Crescent. These delightful cream coloured, Italianate styled houses with their distinctive gables are Grade 2 listed. No 8 [originally Nos 6 and 8] was the first doctor’s surgery in Knowle which was held here from 1870 until 1912.
The Berrow family never lived in Knowle: they lived in Milverton, near Leamington after which they named the house and other buildings they owned in Knowle. William Berrow had no apparent connections with Knowle, yet he obviously intended to be buried here. The burial vault in the churchyard of Knowle Parish Church was bought in 1863, and he clearly wished for his money to benefit Knowle, but why, we simply don’t know.
William died in 1880 and his wife Jane died three years later. They are both buried in a vault in Knowle churchyard and there is a memorial plaque in their memory on a gable on the Berrow Home Cottages Homes.
Residents of Milverton House
In 1883, the house was occupied by Mr Gideon Goold (whose brother the architect Lewis Willaim Goold) was responsible for the Victorian restoration in the same year. The timbers on the main part of the house were covered with rough cast and false ones were painted on the gables – fashionable at the time!
Mr Goold remained until 1900, and a little later Mr Almeric Seymour and his family lived there. In 1912 Mr Samuel Davy established his business there, first in one room and then as other residents left, he acquired the entire house. Three generations of the Davy family ran their estate agency and auctioneers business from Milverton House until the 1980’s and it was the Davy family who restored the house in the 1970s, revealing the beautiful timber that we can see today.
21st Century
Milverton House today is home to a children’s nursery and dental practice, with Milverton Crescent used as private homes and offices.
Distinguishing Features
- The distinctive gables of Nos 4-10 Milverton Crescent
- The tall, ornate chimneys
- The position of the house’s two front doors
- Appreciate the sight this imposing house would have been to early travellers from Warwick to Knowle
Timeline
- 1560: Milverton House built
- 1900s: Its timber framing was concealed beneath plaster
- 1900s: Milverton House was a farmhouse owned by the Knowle Hall Estates.
- 1852: Purchased by William Berrow, a doctor, who gave the house its current name – Milverton House.
- 1870: Nos 4-10 Wilsons Road, known as Milverton Crescent were built
- 1876: The first surgery in Knowle which was held at No.8
- 1883: The house was occupied by Mr Gideon Goold
- 1912: Mr Samuel Davy established the family estate agent and auctioneers business here
- 1970s, the house was restored revealing the beautiful timber that we can see today.
Image Gallery
You will be able to see more images of Knowle in the Local History Centre located upstairs in Knowle Library.
Explore the Trail
There are twelve buildings to explore on this trail.
The small print
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this heritage trail, details may be subject to change or interpretation. To the best of our knowledge, all content is correct at the time of publication. We accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or changes that may have occurred since.