Benger Trails
4. Lower Draycot

Lower Draycot was a hamlet that included several houses, plus the Draycot Rectory, which stood between the main Sutton Benger road and Draycot Park lake until about 1880. Lord Cowley re-landscaped his parkland in the 1870s in order to create a new entrance to his Manor House from the road and across the lake. He removed the houses and built new ones for the occupants in Upper Draycot. He also built a new Rectory at the top of the hill, to the south side of the main road.

The map of the parkland in 1885 shows the new changes, with no trace of Lower Draycot remaining. There is a new Lodge / gate house, plus a new road and bridge over the lake to Draycot House. There is also the new Rectory, as well as the Mortuary Chapel (built in 1881).