Croft Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Croft Castle
Croft Castle in 2010
Type	Country house
Location	Croft, Herefordshire
Built	16th-20th centuries with earlier additions

Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: Croft Castle
Designated	8 November 1956
Reference no.	1166451


Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: Church of St Michael
Designated	11 June 1959
Reference no.	1166506


Listed Building – Grade II
Official name: Terrace Wall to South and West of Croft Castle
Designated	9 December 1986
Reference no.	1166490


Listed Building – Grade II
Official name: Stable block
Designated	9 December 1986
Reference no.	1082080


National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens
Official name: Croft Castle Park and Garden
Designated	28 February 1986
Reference no.	1000878

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Croft Castle is a historic country house located in Croft, Herefordshire, England. This amazing castle has been owned by the Croft family for a very long time, since 1085! Even though it left their hands for a while in the 1700s, the family bought it back in 1923. Later, in 1957, Croft Castle was given to the National Trust, an organization that helps protect special places. The castle is a very important historic building, known as a Grade I listed building. The nearby Church of St Michael is also a Grade I listed building.

History of Croft Castle
Architecture and Design
- Special Historic Status
Garden and Parkland
Church of St Michael
Ancient Hill Fort
Location and Surroundings
Gallery
See also

History of Croft Castle

A building has stood on the site of Croft Castle since around 1085. This is when the Croft family first established their estate here. Since then, it has been the home of the Croft family and the Croft baronets. The Croft family had close ties with their neighbors, the Mortimers of Wigmore and Ludlow. A famous battle, the Battle of Mortimer's Cross, even took place on Croft land nearby in 1461.

Early Family Connections

The castle was once home to Sir John de Croft. He married Janet, one of the daughters of Owain Glyndŵr, a famous Welsh leader. Because of this connection, the Croft family started using the Welsh Wyvern crest in the 15th century. This crest shows a wounded black dragon, which was a nod to their Welsh heritage. The very first Croft family member to own the estate was Bernard de Croft, who is mentioned in the ancient Domesday Book.

Changes Over the Years

The Croft family faced some financial difficulties in the 1700s. In 1746, they sold the estate to Richard Knight. He came from a very wealthy family of ironmakers. In the 1760s, the castle was changed quite a bit by Thomas Johnes, who married Richard Knight's daughter. He updated the castle in a style called Rococo-Gothic. This included replacing old windows with Georgian sash windows and adding beautiful plasterwork ceilings and a gothic staircase.

Croft Castle was sold again in 1799 to Somerset Davies. His family, the Kevill-Davies, later sold the castle back to Katherine, Lady Croft, in 1923. More changes were made to the castle in 1913. An architect named Walter Sarel removed part of the 18th-century entrance and added a new porch and bay window. He also redesigned the dining room. In 1937, an older part of the house, the 17th-century service wing, was taken down to make the house smaller and more manageable.

Saving the Castle

By 1957, many large country houses in Britain were being torn down. Croft Castle was also in danger of being demolished. However, Diana Uhlman, a member of the Croft family, was determined to save it. The family worked together to raise money. This allowed the National Trust to take over the house and its land. The castle opened to the public in 1960. Michael, Lord Croft, helped by getting paintings and furniture for the castle's rooms. His sister Diana also set up a special fund to support the castle. Today, members of the Croft family still live in the house.

Notable Croft Family Members

Many interesting people have been part of the Croft family over the centuries:

Sir Richard Croft (1429/30-1509): He was an important official for several English kings.
Sir James Croft (c.1518–1590): He was a leader in Queen Elizabeth I's household.
Herbert Croft (1603–1691): He was a bishop and a chaplain to King Charles I.
William Croft (c.1678–1727): A famous organist and composer.
Sir Herbert Croft (1751–1816): A writer and expert on words.
Sir Richard Croft (1762–1818): A well-known doctor.
Sir Henry Page Croft (1881–1947): A soldier and politician during World War II.

Architecture and Design

The Blue Room at Croft Castle, with painted panels and a portrait above the fireplace.

The castle you see today was mostly built in the 1660s. This was when Herbert Croft was the Bishop of Hereford. It replaced an older house that stood nearby. The manor house is made of stone and has a square shape around a central courtyard. It features round towers at each corner. Some of the original stone windows are still visible. Croft Castle is one of the earliest examples of a "medieval revival" style. This means it was designed to look like older medieval castles.

Special Historic Status

Croft Castle is a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical or architectural importance. Other parts of the estate also have special listings:

The stable block and some walls are listed as Grade II.
Three other buildings on the estate, including a Gothic Pumphouse, Croft Lodge, and Cock Gate Cottage, are also Grade II listed.
The Church of St Michael is a Grade I listed building.
The beautiful garden and parkland around the castle have their own Grade II* listing, meaning they are very important.

Garden and Parkland

The property features a lovely three-acre walled garden. There's also a Georgian stable block. One of the most impressive features is an avenue of Sweet Chestnut trees. These trees were planted over 400 years ago! Beech and oak trees also line the main drive.

The Fishpool Valley was designed in the 1700s with ponds, a grotto (a small cave-like structure), a gothic pumphouse, an ice house, and a lime kiln. This valley has been carefully restored to bring back its original scenic beauty. It's a great place to explore!

Church of St Michael

The Church of St Michael dates back to around the 14th century. Inside, you can see 17th-century box pews and some medieval floor tiles. There's also a beautiful tomb for Sir Richard and Eleanor Croft. The ceiling above the altar, from the 17th century, is painted with clouds and golden stars.

Ancient Hill Fort

Within the parkland, you'll find an Iron Age hill fort called Croft Ambrey. This is an ancient defensive site built on a hill, showing how people lived and protected themselves thousands of years ago.

Location and Surroundings

Croft Castle is located in the village of Croft and Yarpole, about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Leominster in Herefordshire, England. It is surrounded by 1,500 acres of beautiful woodland, farmland, and parkland. The Mortimer Trail, a long walking path, also passes by the castle.