Fretherne Court was a handsome residential sporting mansion with picturesque grounds and deer park estate of some 676 acres, situated in the Severn Vale between the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the River Severn, in Fretherne, Gloucestershire. It was owned by the Darell family who were Baronets of Richmond Hill. It was built in around 1864 by Sir Edward Tierney (Tierney baronets) who also enlarged Fretherne church from one aisle to three. A good description of Sir Edwards renovations can be read in Sir Lionel E. H. M. Darell's memoirs - written about 1950: "My grandfather - Rev. Sir Lionel William Darell, 4th Baronet (1817–1883) - had come from Richmond Hill, London to a little village of Fretherne, the living being presented to him by Sir Edward Tierney. Sir Edward completely transmogrofied the humble little refectory of Fretherne, building on to it many extra reception rooms, a ballroom, billiard room, water towers and halls, and last but no means least, a charming little chapel just inside the front entrance hall. Our airey nurseries were on the second floor, but in those days there was no electric light, central heating, or bathroom of any description. The Kitchens were large, designed after the big kitchen at Christ Church, Oxford, but the food had to be brought up many passages". The Darell Arms Sir William Lionel Darell even built a pub in the village and named it after the family! The Darell Arms, it replaced the Passage House Inn, which stood on the same site. The Darell Arms was constructed in mock Tudor style with two ornate gabled ends. The Darell Arms closed c.1990 and is now a private residence. Auctioned off The court was sold off in 26 parcels or lots in an auction by Bruton Knowles at the Bell Hotel Gloucester on Saturday 6 September 1919, when Sir Lionel Edward Darell (5th Baronet) 1845–1919 died, by his son Sir Lionel Edward Hamilton Marmaduke Darell 1876–1954 (6th Baronet - who called himself 'Ratcatcher Baronet' in his privately published biography). From his biography Lionel describes why he had to sell Fretherne Court:- "... And so we return to my poor father who died in February 1919 beloved by all, and I succeeded him. It was soon very evident after reading his will and consultation with the family lawyer, that my old home would have to go - there was no question about it.