The home that inspired Shorten Manor

This moated house in England — Baddesley Clinton — inspired the Manor in The Shorten Chronicles. I spent many happy day trips here, exploring the gardens and the house.

Baddesley Clinton is part Saxon (Baeddi) and part French (de Clinton). The de Clintons were a Norman family who arrived in England in 1066 with William the Conqueror and, yes, they may be related to the American Clintons.

There’s been a house on the site since the 13th century. The gardens and house are on a smaller scale than Shorten Manor but still pretty grand. And the moat is amazing. Water deep enough to drown invaders but nowadays it's home to ducks and dragonflies.

Find out more about the house HERE.