Tucked away in the quiet countryside of North Somerset, Winford Manor has always had a story to tell.
Originally a 17th-century country house, it later became a luxury hotel and wedding venue.
But over the past three years, this grand property has taken on a very different role—one that has left locals feeling unsettled and, in some cases, unsafe.
The story first went viral this week when former Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg attempted to investigate the manor for his GB News programme State of the Nation.
Wearing his signature tailored suit, he peered over the wrought-iron gates, trying to talk to the asylum seekers reportedly living there, only to be blocked by security.
The footage spread quickly, sparking debate about the manor’s new purpose.
The Manor’s Secret Revealed
Contrary to the inconclusive report, the Daily Mail can now confirm that Winford Manor has been functioning as an asylum centre for around three years.
The property, which spans 36 bedrooms and sits on seven acres of countryside, is run by Clearsprings, a company owned by billionaire “migrant hotel king” Graham King, on behalf of the Home Office.
The manor’s journey to this point began in September 2022 when villagers were told at a parish council meeting that the building would stop operating as a hotel and would instead house asylum seekers.
Locals were reassured that the Home Office contract would last just two years.
Yet, as the third anniversary approaches, new arrivals are still being bused in regularly.
Locals Voice Their Frustration
Residents say they were never consulted about the change.
Tony Gould and Carly Gibbs, who live on a former poultry farm behind the manor with their young children, have had to bolster their security arrangements.
Carly explained, “We feel like we’ve been s** on from a great height.
There’s a real sense of unease locally with such large numbers of undocumented men living on our doorstep.”*
The couple describe incidents where migrants have encroached onto their property, lit fires in nearby fields, and caused disruptions at all hours.
Carly admits she no longer goes out running and keeps a close watch on her children, who have become anxious about being outdoors after dark.
Tony has spent over £2,000 on CCTV and security lighting, highlighting how much the family has had to adjust to the unexpected neighbours.
The Day-to-Day Reality at Winford Manor
Locals recount a steady flow of police cars and ambulances to the manor, as well as occasional incidents involving drunken or abusive residents.
Clare Rippingale, a self-employed gardener and café owner living opposite the manor, said the presence of the asylum seekers has fundamentally changed village life.
She described how some migrants’ visitors sleep in cars in neighbouring fields, start campfires, or wander onto private land.
“It’s the unfamiliarity and the lack of communication from the government and council that has been the problem,” she added.
There are also concerns about asylum documents being found shredded along nearby lanes, suggesting some residents may try to evade official processing.
A Property with a Long History
Winford Manor’s history stretches back centuries, with 19th- and 21st-century extensions adding to its grandeur.
Located just half a mile from Bristol Airport, it once charged guests £78 a night and offered shuttle services.
Photographs from 2017 show lavish weddings and celebrations on the grounds, a far cry from the current situation.
Rees-Mogg’s reporting implied that the asylum seekers were being “hidden” in the remote location.
While some residents sympathise with the migrants, they stress that the secrecy and lack of communication from authorities have created tension in the village.
Official Records and Management
Documents from the local parish council indicate that most residents at Winford Manor are single men, though 18 children aged three to 14 also live there.
North Somerset Council was only informed of the Home Office’s plans shortly before the asylum centre opened and was told they could not object.
IntSol, the investment firm that purchased the manor in 2022 via Winford Holding Ltd, undertook a significant refurbishment, renovating existing rooms and adding new ones.
Tony Kounnis, the company’s director, also runs a security firm and a UK facial recognition company.
The Home Office, IntSol, and North Somerset Council have been contacted for comment.
Uncertain Future
Rumours suggest the asylum centre may close later this year or early next, possibly making way for a newly refurbished boutique hotel.
But for now, the residents of Winford and surrounding areas continue to live with uncertainty, balancing compassion for the migrants with frustration over the sudden, unconsulted transformation of a once-tranquil village landmark.
