Bixley Manor in Norfolk was the former home of Lady Mary Colman, who was an extra lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, and her husband Sir Timothy
A 19th-Century mansion that once belonged to the Queen’s late cousin is now offering a taste of luxury as Britain’s most exclusive holiday rental.
Bixley Manor, the former home of Lady Mary Colman who was an extra lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, has opened its doors to guests. .
Lady Mary married Sir Timothy, a scion of the esteemed Colman Mustard dynasty and the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. The high-profile couple, whose nuptials were graced by the likes of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, both died in the year 2021.
Now, following a chic renovation, their grand country residence located in Norfolk is being touted as a “haven of privacy and luxury” on the holiday rental website kate & tom’s.
A mere 10-minute drive from the city of Norwich brings you to Bixley Manor, a regal estate complete with 10 sumptuous bedrooms and nine stunning bathrooms, not to mention sprawling grounds that house a tennis court, bubbling hot tub, inviting swimming pool, and even a classic croquet lawn.
Inside, the manor flaunts original features in its grand dining room and provides lavish entertainment with music and games rooms, a well-stocked library, and a traditional open fire.
The impressive gardens, curated by Lady Colman and Sir Timothy themselves, burst into a vibrant “ever-giving festival of flora” providing tranquil walks across what’s described as a “magic carpet” of extensive lawns, blossoming borders, and varied woodlands.
In addition to an outdoor dining terrace equipped with a gas barbecue, there’s a romantic rose arbour, serene wildlife pond, and plenty of children’s play apparatus. Families, including up to three canine companions, are welcomed warmly, with ample parking for 10 cars making it ideal for significant gatherings; hen parties, too, are catered for “upon request”.
This stunning manor is currently on offer for a two-night mid-week break, accommodating up to 20 people, for just £1,850.
The property’s website describes it as: “Sip gin under cerulean skies in a magic carpet of a garden created by Sir Timothy and Lady Mary Colman. Bixley Manor in Norfolk sleeps 20 family and friends happy to swim in the pool, hang out in the hot tub, load the logburners and snuggle up for Netflix nights in a high-ceilinged haven of privacy and luxury.”
Lady Mary, born Bowes-Lyon, was a member of the Royal family through her connection to the Queen Mother, being the daughter of Captain Michael Bowes-Lyon and Elizabeth Margaret Cator. She was the twin sister of Lady Patricia Bowes Lyon and sister to Fergus, the 17th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, as well as the Honourable Albermarle Bowes Lyon.
Captain Bowes-Lyon, an Army veteran, was one of the Queen Mother’s four brothers. In 1951, at the age of 19, Lady Mary married Sir Timothy at St Bartholomew-the-Great in Smithfields, London. The couple moved to Bixley Manor, located on the outskirts of Trowse, Norfolk, in 1953. Sadly, Lady Colman and Sir Timothy both passed away in 2021, at the ages of 88 and 91, respectively.