The 17th-century Grade II-listed Barton House has suffered extensive damage, including the destruction of much of its roof. (Photo: SWNS)
Barton House, a 17th-century manor near Guiting Power, was sold to a private buyer for £8.28 million in January 2025. The devastating blaze broke out at Barton House on Saturday morning, September 5, with firefighters from across Gloucestershire called to tackle the rapidly spreading fire. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call about the domestic fire in Guiting Power at 11.52am. Eight fire engines were sent to the scene, with crews using three jets, two hose reels and 24 breathing apparatus to battle the flames. Firefighters remained at the property for almost 12 hours, with the stop message eventually received at 11.30pm. A major electrical fire has caused extensive damage to the £8.28m Barton House in the Cotswolds. (Photo: SWNS) The owners, who have asked not to be named, said they were in shock following the blaze and revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a light fitting on the first floor. Around 30 residents from nearby Guiting Power helped with the clean-up and salvage operation on Sunday, while hundreds of messages of support were sent by local residents.
The owners of a historic Grade II-listed Cotswolds mansion valued at more than £8 million have been left “devastated” after an electrical fire tore through the property, destroying much of its roof and causing extensive damage. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, they said, “We are in so much shock, and it is devastating. The owners said they were “extremely grateful” to everyone in the surrounding community.
Images taken in the aftermath show the scale of the destruction, with large sections of the roof completely destroyed. The full extent of the damage to the interior is yet to be established. The owners also praised the local community for rallying around them following the fire. Local villagers rallied to help salvage belongings after the devastating fire tore through the historic Cotswolds mansion. (Photo: SWNS)
Barton House was purchased by a private buyer for £8.28 million in January 2025, months before the devastating fire. (Photo: SWNS)
Neil Chapman said volunteers had gone to the house to try to save whatever remained, but there was little that could be salvaged. “A lot of the house is gone, and the owners have lost a lot of personal belongings,” he said. “It is going to need a lot of work to get it back to what it was and back to its former glory,” Chapman said.
Barton House dates back to the 17th century and was restored during the early 20th century. The main house is Grade II listed and sits within extensive grounds in the Cotswold National Landscape. One local resident who entered the property after the fire to help with the recovery effort described the extent of the destruction as heartbreaking. He added that the top floor had been destroyed and that the property would require extensive work to restore it to its former condition.
The historic manor was reportedly home to the Hambro family for decades before being sold to its current owners last year.
The mansion’s £8.28 million sale price in January 2025 reflected both its architectural heritage and its substantial grounds. Because the historic home had recently undergone renovation, the fire is particularly devastating.
The property still contained a number of historic features and items despite the refurbishment, according to local residents. Chapman said there were “a lot of old historic items” still inside the house and described the aftermath as “very sad to see”. The scale of the damage means the future of the Grade II-listed building could now depend on the extent to which its historic structure and surviving interiors can be restored. Barton House is set across extensive grounds and includes a number of luxury amenities in addition to the main residence. The property features a pool house and associated swimming pool, as well as a tennis court. Its location within the Cotswold National Landscape adds to its appeal as one of the area’s notable historic properties. The fire has now left the owners facing a major recovery and restoration operation, while the local community continues to assist with the clean-up. Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.