The Mill Hill Missionary Society established a base at Courtfield, near Lydbrook, in 1950. The first house built on the land dated way back to the 1300s, when it was the childhood home of King Henry V from 1387 onwards. Of course, the current house bears no resemblance having been demolished and rebuilt numerous times in the following centuries. The current property has roots in the 1500s but the majority dates back to the 19th Century and is a large manor house with an imposing attached chapel, situated on top of a small rocky outcrop overlooking a valley. It became the ancestral home of the Vaughan family for nearly five centuries - and it was Cardinal Vaughan who founded the Mill Hill Missionary Society, setting up their home in Courtfield House and constructing a large new building behind the house. Originally it was a training centre for the Mill Hill Brothers, training in such trades as carpentry, electrical, and construction, and since the 1970s was used as a retreat centre. The Mill Hill Missionary Society left the site in 2007
There is much more history to the house and the family, but that is just a brief summary. Most of it can be read here - https://www.forestofdeanhistory.org.uk/assets/PDF/Courtfield-by-Nick-Oldnall.pdf
Now, much to the disappointment of everyone, the main house and the attached chapel were totally inaccessible - covered by cameras everywhere, and alarmed inside. It appeared to have been renovated at some point since the Mill Hill Brothers left in 2007 so was left well alone, and with an occupied farm literally behind the property it was decided not to risk the wrath of an angry local. However, the 1950s era retreat centre was very much accessible, and despite being empty it was almost devoid of vandalism and instead had some wonderful natural decay.
Under the rocky outcrop the buildings are sat on was another little surprise too, an altar and shrine located hidden underneath the site, which was really cool to see.
From what I know now, the house is occupied once more, and I don't think the accomodation block has been accessible since - site security was beefed up somewhat shortly after my visit, from what a local told me.
After a long trek across tracks and steep fields we arrived at the buildings and quickly clambered inside the three storey retreat centre, mindful that the access point was somewhat in view of the occupied farm. Once in though it was very peaceful, although humid as hell inside thanks to very very few openings to allow for air movement. Photos go from the top floor down, most of the interesting stuff was located on the ground floor, although the coloured glass in the windows on one of the staircases was a lovely touch.
After exiting the building we set off looking for the shrine, and after a bit of Indiana Jonesing through the nettles and undergrowth found it.
I don't like to describe things as 'magical' but the shrine really was like stepping foot into another world, it was so isolated and totally at odds with it's surroundings.
Thanks for looking
There is much more history to the house and the family, but that is just a brief summary. Most of it can be read here - https://www.forestofdeanhistory.org.uk/assets/PDF/Courtfield-by-Nick-Oldnall.pdf
Now, much to the disappointment of everyone, the main house and the attached chapel were totally inaccessible - covered by cameras everywhere, and alarmed inside. It appeared to have been renovated at some point since the Mill Hill Brothers left in 2007 so was left well alone, and with an occupied farm literally behind the property it was decided not to risk the wrath of an angry local. However, the 1950s era retreat centre was very much accessible, and despite being empty it was almost devoid of vandalism and instead had some wonderful natural decay.
Under the rocky outcrop the buildings are sat on was another little surprise too, an altar and shrine located hidden underneath the site, which was really cool to see.
From what I know now, the house is occupied once more, and I don't think the accomodation block has been accessible since - site security was beefed up somewhat shortly after my visit, from what a local told me.
After a long trek across tracks and steep fields we arrived at the buildings and quickly clambered inside the three storey retreat centre, mindful that the access point was somewhat in view of the occupied farm. Once in though it was very peaceful, although humid as hell inside thanks to very very few openings to allow for air movement. Photos go from the top floor down, most of the interesting stuff was located on the ground floor, although the coloured glass in the windows on one of the staircases was a lovely touch.
After exiting the building we set off looking for the shrine, and after a bit of Indiana Jonesing through the nettles and undergrowth found it.
I don't like to describe things as 'magical' but the shrine really was like stepping foot into another world, it was so isolated and totally at odds with it's surroundings.
Thanks for looking
