Brancepeth Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brancepeth Castle |
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| Brancepeth | |
Brancepeth Castle from the east, showing the two 19th-century gate towers (right) and older chapel and curtain walls (centre and left)
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 Brancepeth Castle
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| Coordinates | 54°44′00″N 1°39′00″W / 54.73333°N 1.65000°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Dobson family |
| Open to the public |
No, except for special events |
| Condition | Standing |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Sandstone |
Brancepeth Castle is a historic castle found in the village of Brancepeth in County Durham, England. It is located about 5 miles southwest of the city of Durham. This amazing building is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
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The Castle's Long History
Brancepeth Castle has stood for many centuries, changing and growing over time. Several different buildings have been on this spot.
Who First Built Brancepeth Castle?
The very first castle here was built by the Norman family called the Bulmers. This happened a long, long time ago. Later, the powerful Neville family rebuilt the castle in the late 1300s.
When Did the Nevilles Lose the Castle?
The Neville family owned Brancepeth Castle for many years. However, in 1569, the castle was taken by the Crown (the King or Queen of England). This happened because the Nevilles were involved in a rebellion called the Rising of the North.
Who Owned Brancepeth Castle Next?
After the Nevilles, many other families owned the castle. In the early 1600s, the Crown gave the estate to Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset. But the Crown later took the castle back from him.
In 1636, a man named Ralph Cole bought the castle. His grandson, Sir Ralph Cole, 2nd Baronet, sold it in 1701 to Sir Henry Belasyse. His daughter is said to have inspired the famous song, "Bobby Shafto's Gone to Sea".
How Was the Castle Rebuilt?
In 1796, a rich banker and mine owner named William Russell bought the castle. His son, Matthew Russell, spent a lot of money in the 1820s to rebuild the castle. The castle you see today is mostly his work. An architect named John Patterson designed the changes. Later, in the mid-1800s, another architect, Anthony Salvin, made more improvements for William Russell.
What Was the Castle Used for During Wars?
During the First World War, Brancepeth Castle was used as a hospital. It helped soldiers who were recovering from injuries. In 1939, during the Second World War, the castle became the main base for the Durham Light Infantry, a military group. They even built a large camp with over 100 huts nearby. The Durham Light Infantry left the castle in 1962.
Who Owns Brancepeth Castle Today?
Today, the Dobson family privately owns Brancepeth Castle. Margaret Dobson bought the castle in 1978. She wanted to store her company's books there. Margaret worked hard to fix up the castle, including its roof and many rooms. She made it a place for events like craft fairs and plays. She also rented rooms to students from Durham University. Margaret Dobson passed away in 2014.
In 2019, Margaret's son, Oliver Dobson, found a collection of old French political posters from 1968 in the castle's cellar. This discovery was even shown on a BBC television program!
