Eastnor Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eastnor Castle |
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| Type | Mock castle |
| Location | Eastnor, Herefordshire |
| Built | 1811-1820 |
| Architect | Robert Smirke |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic Revival |
| Governing body | Privately owned |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Eastnor Castle | |
| Designated | 18 November 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1156712 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Castle lodge and gates | |
| Designated | 10 January 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1156692 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Portcullis lodge and retaining walls to the forecourt of Eastnor Castle | |
| Designated | 10 January 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1082629 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Retaining wall to Lower Terrace on garden front of Eastnor Castle | |
| Designated | 10 January 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1082630 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Retaining wall to Upper Terrace on garden front of Eastnor Castle | |
| Designated | 10 January 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1349512 |
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Eastnor Castle is a grand 19th-century building in Eastnor, Herefordshire, England. It looks like a medieval castle, but it's actually a "mock castle." This means it was built to look old and strong, like the real castles that guarded the Welsh borders.
The castle was built for John Cocks, 1st Earl Somers. He hired Robert Smirke, who later became famous for designing the British Museum. Construction took place between 1811 and 1820. Later, in 1849–1850, A.W.N. Pugin added beautiful interior designs. Eastnor Castle is still a private home today. It belongs to James Hervey-Bathurst, who is the grandson of Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers. It is considered a very important historic building, listed as Grade I. The gardens and park around it are also protected.
Contents
History of Eastnor Castle
The story of Eastnor Castle began in the late 1500s. That's when the Cocks family first bought land in the area. Over time, through marriages, the family gained more wealth. This money helped them build the impressive castle you see today. They wanted it to look like the strong medieval castles that once protected the border with Wales.
Building the Castle: Design and Cost
The castle was built following the plans of Robert Smirke. Construction happened from 1812 to 1820. Later, in 1849–1850, A.W.N. Pugin made some changes inside. He decorated the Gothic drawing room, for example. George E. Fox also made further changes in the 1860s.
The castle is made of large, cut stones called ashlar. Its roof is hidden behind a fancy, castle-like wall. Iron was used for the roof and floor beams, which was quite modern for the time. Building Eastnor Castle was very expensive. It cost about £85,000 back then. That's like spending £26 million to £28 million today!
Early Criticisms of Eastnor Castle
Not everyone loved the castle when it was built. A writer named Charles Locke Eastlake criticized it in the 19th century. He said it looked "massive and gloomy." He also pointed out that the windows were "exceedingly small and narrow." This meant it wasn't very convenient to live in. Eastlake thought it might have been a good fort before gunpowder was invented. But as a home, he called it a "picturesque mistake."
Eastnor Castle Today: A Modern Home
Eastnor Castle still has a working flour mill. It's one of the oldest mills in the county, built in the 1700s. In recent years, its water supply was fixed, and the machinery was repaired. So now it can grind flour again!
As of 2020, the family who owns the castle lives in a smaller part of it. James Hervey-Bathurst, who inherited the castle in 1988, said they mostly live in the kitchen. It was made bigger in 1992.
The castle's business was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, things started to get better by mid-July 2020. An old iron bridge over the weir, first built in 1828, was restored and reopened in 2021. Today, Eastnor Castle is open for public tours during certain months. It's also a popular place for weddings.
Eastnor Obelisk: A Family Monument
In 1812, John Somers-Cocks, 2nd Earl Somers ordered a tall, thin monument called an obelisk to be built. It stands on the Eastnor estate. The obelisk was made to honor different members of his family. It was almost certainly designed by Robert Smirke, the same architect who built the castle.
Plaques on the monument remember important family members. One is John Somers, 1st Baron Somers, who worked for King William III. Another is Edward Charles Cocks. He was an intelligence officer for the Duke of Wellington. Edward died during a battle in Spain in 1812. The obelisk is located in Eastnor Deer Park, about a mile from the castle. It is also a protected historic structure, listed as Grade II*.
Media Appearances and Events at Eastnor
Eastnor Castle and its estate are often used for different events and filming. The car company Land Rover uses the estate. Potential customers can test-drive their vehicles there.
The castle has also been a filming location for many movies, TV shows, and music videos. Some examples include:
- One More Time (1970 film)
- Slade's music video "Run Runaway"
- The Canterville Ghost (1986 film)
- The BBC TV show Little Lord Fauntleroy (1995)
- The American reality show The Amazing Race
- ITV's Doctor Thorne (2015)
- Two episodes of HBO's Succession
Gallery
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Main entrance to Eastnor Castle in 1992
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Interior
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Great hall
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Distant view of the castle
