Lambton Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lambton Castle |
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Lambton Castle in the late 19th century
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| General information | |
| Type | Stately home |
| Town or city | Chester-le-Street, County Durham |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 54°52′01″N 1°32′10″W / 54.867°N 1.536°W NZ298526 |
| Designations | Grade II* listed building |
Lambton Castle is a large, historic home located near Chester-le-Street in County Durham, England. It is the traditional family home of the Lambton family, who are also known as the Earls of Durham. This important building is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building.
History
Building the Castle
Lambton Castle was mostly built between 1820 and 1828. It was designed for John Lambton, who became the first Earl of Durham. He was also once the Governor General of Canada, a very important role.
The castle was constructed around an older house called Harraton Hall, which dated back to the 1600s. The architects who designed it were Joseph Bonomi the Elder and his son Ignatius. They built the castle in the style of a Norman castle, which was a popular design at that time.
Changes Over Time
Later on, between 1862 and 1865, more parts were added to the house by Sydney Smirke. These additions included a large great hall. However, many of these newer sections were taken down in 1932.
In the 1930s, the Lambton family moved to a smaller house on their property called Biddick Hall.
The Estate Today
The castle is surrounded by a large park, which has a tall wall around it. The family still holds an annual pheasant shoot on the grounds.
From 1972 to 1980, the park was home to a place called Lambton Lion Park, which was a popular attraction.
More recently, the family sold some of the land, Biddick Woods. This allowed for a new road to be built, connecting the A182 to the A690 near Houghton le Spring. New business buildings were also constructed.
In 2012, Lambton Castle was used as a filming location for the BBC One TV show The Paradise.
In 2015, plans were made to develop the estate. The goal is to help pay for the park's upkeep and preservation. The idea is to turn the castle into a place for weddings, a fancy hotel, or both. The family's managers, called the Trustees of Lord Durham’s 1989 Voluntary Settlement, submitted these plans. They hope to spend a lot of money to make these changes happen.
