Orchard Wyndham

Coordinates: 51°09′04.7″N 3°19′40.7″W / 51.151306°N 3.327972°W / 51.151306; -3.327972

Orchard Wyndham is a historic manor near Williton in Somerset, centred on the synonymous grade I listedmanor house of Orchard Wyndham situated historically in the parish of Watchet and about two miles south of the parish church of St Decuman's, Watchet. Parts of the manor house are medieval. It has been owned for more than 700 years by the prominent Wyndham family, who continue there in 2015.

Descent

Saxons

There is evidence of occupation of the site from Roman and Saxon times. The estate was originally called "Orchard", possibly a corruption of the Saxon family name "De Horcherd". The de Orchard family held another nearby manor in Somerset, now called Orchard Portman which was inherited by the Portman family. The arms of de Orchard were: Azure, a chevron argent between three pears pendant or.

Sydenham

In 1448 it passed into the hands of the Sydenham family of nearby Combe Sydenham, and was thenceforth known as Orchard Sydenham. The Sydenham family originated at the manor of Sydenham near Bridgwater, Somerset. Elizabeth Sydenham (d.1571) inherited the house and in 1528 married Sir John Wyndham (d.1573), from Norfolk.