Tormarton was designated as a conservation area on 30th July 1975.
Setting
The village of Tormarton is situated north-east of Dyrham on the old Bath to Gloucester coach road. It lies near the edge of the Cotswold scarp and is within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Behind Tormarton running north-east and west are miles of undulating plateau which form the Cotswold uplands and provide an expansive and attractive backdrop to the village.
The more important buildings are situated north of the main street and include Tormarton Court (grade II-listed), St Mary Magdalene Church (grade I-listed) and Manor Farm (grade II-listed). Tormarton is surrounded by woodland and varied topography. This, together with its traditionally-built houses of local materials, mellow stone walls and many large trees gives Tormarton its character and charm.
History
Tormarton received its name from the tower (tor) of the church, and from meark, which in the Saxon language meant boundary (between Mercia and Wessex). The old manor house stood south of St Mary Magdalene Church and belonged to the family of de la Rivere. Most of the building was demolished in the Great Rebellion (1642-1649) but a section, including the vast kitchen and old fireplace has been incorporated into the present manor farm. The coat of arms of de la Rivere can still be seen in the end wall overlooking the churchyard.
Nearly opposite the church is the fine 18th century house of Tormarton Court (grade II-listed), obscured by a high stone wall. It was formerly the rectory and has extensive landscaped grounds which have been included in the conservation area boundary.
The church of St Mary Magdalene occupies a prominent site and displays Norman and early English architectural features. Stones from the Saxon period have been identified in the tower and suggest that a church occupied the site before the Normal Conquest. The south aisle of the church was added by John de la Rivere in the 14th century after he founded a chantry at Tormarton in 1344. The small cottage on the north-west side of the present churchyard was once part of this chantry. The avenue of yews leading to the church is probably over four hundred years old. To the east of the church there are extensive and noteworthy earthwork remains of a former Saxon settlement, suggesting that Tormarton was larger than it is today. This area has been included in the extended conservation area.
In 1789 Tormarton was conveyed to the 5th Duke of Beaufort and became part of Badminton Estate.
Character
Tormarton contains a variety of buildings, many built of Cotswold stone with dressed stone detailing to windows and doors. Later infilling has been confined to the central core of the village, which thus retains a compact nucleus. The stone walls are a particularly noteworthy feature lining the roads and defining property boundaries.
The entrance to the village from the north is especially attractive with Tormarton Court to the west and St Mary Magdalene church to the east. These provide visually striking features which are further enhanced by the mature trees that line the road, adding freshness and vitality to the scene. The views to the west are also attractive, revealing undulating fields and mature trees in the distance.
Traditional Cotswold cottages are interspersed with Georgian frontages whilst the old rectory, set back from the road, provides a secluded atmosphere.