Kingsgate Castle facts for kids
Kingsgate Castle is a cool building located on the cliffs above Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs, Kent. It was built a long time ago, in the 1760s, for a person named Lord Holland. His full name was Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland.
This castle wasn't originally a castle for living in. It was first built as a stable block for horses, part of his nearby country home called Holland House. Lord Holland also had a main home in Kensington, near London.
The name Kingsgate has a special story. It comes from a time when King Charles II landed there by chance on June 30, 1683. The word 'gate' here means a gap in the cliffs. Other English kings, like King George II in 1748, also used this same cove. Later, the castle became the home of John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury.
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What is Kingsgate Castle?
Kingsgate Castle might look like a very old castle, but it's actually what we call a "mock castle." This means it was built to look like a castle, but it wasn't used for defense or battles like real medieval castles. Instead, it was built for show and as part of a large estate.
Who was Lord Holland?
Lord Holland, or Henry Fox, was an important person in British politics during the 1700s. He was a politician and a member of the British Parliament. People like him often had large country homes and estates. These estates usually included many buildings, like stables for horses, gardens, and other structures.
Why was it built?
Kingsgate Castle was built as part of Lord Holland's grand country estate. It served as the stable block for his horses. Imagine a fancy home for horses, designed to look like a castle! This shows how wealthy and important Lord Holland was. He wanted his estate to look impressive and grand.
Kings and the Kingsgate Name
The name "Kingsgate" is quite fitting because several English kings have visited this spot.
King Charles II's Visit
One of the most famous visits was by King Charles II. He landed here by accident in 1683. It wasn't a planned trip, but his arrival gave the place its special name. The "gate" part of Kingsgate refers to a natural opening or gap in the cliffs, which made it a good spot for boats to land.
Other Royal Visitors
Later, another king, King George II, also used this cove in 1748. So, the name Kingsgate truly reflects its history as a place where kings have set foot.
Modern Changes to the Castle
In the 1990s, Kingsgate Castle went through some big changes.
Converting the Castle into Homes
Architects worked on a plan to turn the castle into modern homes. This was a complicated project, but they managed to get permission. The castle was changed into 31 separate apartments or "flats." This meant people could live inside this historic-looking building.
Improving the Look and Use
Along with creating new homes, the project also included making the castle look even better. They improved its appearance and made changes so it would work well as a modern living space. These changes were completed soon after the plans were approved.
