A manor at Ivythorn is mentioned as early as 1189 and the current Ivythorn Manor is a substantial Grade II* listed house with medieval origins. Rebuilt by Abbot John Selwood of Glastonbury in 1488 as a country residence, his arms are carved in a tablet above the porch door. Abbot Selwood was also responsible for the construction of St John Parish Church and The George & Pilgrims Inn in Glastonbury. Prior to Selwood’s rebuild, the Manor’s original form was probably a simple open hall arrangement, for which there is some evidence in the planform.

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The house is traditionally built with coursed lias elevations and Doulting Stone mullioned windows with metal casements. The site also includes a post-medieval dovecote and a delightful crenellated gatehouse folly in need of restoration. There are known to have been several phases of building and alterations at Ivythorn throughout its history, and working together with the new owners, ArchiWest are seeking to sympathetically continue this evolution including various alterations, re-roofing and a completely overhauled sustainable heating strategy.