SALLY ON THE BARN HANHAM ABBOTS Hanham Court, which is so close that the church tower virtually adjoins the house wall, which originates from medieval times. Though it is now a farmhouse, much of the original decor remains including the handsome dining-room with
panelled walls and oak screens. From the turret an array of gargoyles look down onto the great garden of yew trees and smooth lawns. Both Cromwell and James 11 are said to have stayed here as guests. A large Tithe Barn to the north of Hanham Court is also of historic interest, probably dating 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. Another relic from Keynsham Abbey is "Sally on the Barn" which is now part of Court Farm but would at one time have been part of the Hanham Court Estate. "Sally" is a
stone statue set on the coping and represents the Greek Goddess of the Harvest
Ceres.
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