The estate had to be split up amongst the seven surviving children, with of course provisions for my mother, so I at once settled to sell Fretherne Court Estate, which had been in my family for say some ninety years. or so, my grandfather having come there as a squarson (squire clergyman) from Richmond. It was very sad, but Fretherne Court had no modern requirements, no central heating, and they said we used to burn a ton of coal a day there - fancy the price now, and of course you could not have got it - no electricity, although my uncle had advocated this so many years before, the kitchens about a quarter of a mile, or so to speak, from the dining rooms water supply very indifferent, only one or two bathrooms, and the drainage system - well, I finish with this ..." The mansion was described in the auction literature as of hansome elevation, facing south and east and commanding fine views over the Severn, approached by a carriage Drive, through well-timbered grounds with picturesque lodge entrance, delightful pleasure grounds of terrace formation. A fine walled kitchen garden with glass houses excellent stabling for 16 horses, garage for 5 cars. This was some house, what a shame we have lost it - The auction literature goes on to describe every room in detail, e.g. the entrance hall fitted with two fireplaces having old carved overmantels, with small chapel adjoining, in all 50 feet by 14 feet. Demolished The mansion was eventually demolished in the mid-1920s, and much of the high-quality materials was sold to local builders for renovations to local buildings. See also The Darell baronets from Richmond Hill References Primary sources Sir Lionel Edward Hamilton Marmaduke Darell, 6th Baronet (1876–1954). His biography titled - Ratcatcher Baronet: The Memoirs of Schoolboy, Soldier, Sportsman and County Councillor during Five Reigns - 1951. (with a foreword by The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Gloucester) - privately printed. External links The Sale of Fretherne Court Estate Lost Country Houses The old rectory was demolished around 1850 to make way for Fretherne Court Deeds relating to conveyance of Estate from Sir Lionel 1795 The Darell Arms Houses completed in 1864 Demolished buildings and structures in England Country houses in Gloucestershire 1864 establishments in England 1920s disestablishments in England