Featured image of Eastnor Castle

The History Of Eastnor Castle

LocationLedbury, Herefordshire, England (Google Maps)
Open for VisitorsYes
Owned byJames Hervey-Bathurst
Official WebsiteEastnor Castle
Rooms AvailableYes (Wedding, Filming, Events)

Eastnor Castle is an early 19th Century majestic Georgian Castle providing magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and the Malvern Hills. It is presently home to the Hervey-Bathurst family and invites visitors to experience its opulent interiors and serene gardens with a deer park.

History

The construction of Eastnor Castle began in 1811 by John, 1st Earl Somers, as a stately home more suited for a peer of the realm and was finally completed in 1820. The castle owes its existence to the two influential families, the John and the Somers. The Johns family moved to Castle Ditch in Eastnor by the end of the 16th century. The Johns married into the family of Worcestershire Somers, and it was the culmination of the wealth of their estates that gave the 1st Earl Somers the financial means to establish the castle.

By the 1870s, the Somers’ estates had exceeded 13,000 acres. However, the agricultural depression in the 1870s caused a massive decline in family wealth, and the Earldom eventually died out in 1883. The last Lord Somers inherited the castle in 1920, and when he was appointed Governor of Victoria in 1926, the family decided to move to Australia, leaving Eastnor Castle unoccupied. In 1949, the Hon. Elizabeth Somers and Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst took on the reins of the castle and slowly made repairs and renovations, which were financed by selling artworks and reinvesting income from the estate.

Architecture

Eastnor Castle
Eastnor Castle”, by Bob Embleton, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Eastnor Castle is a Norman Revival structure designed and built to look intimidating and imposing by architect Robert Smirke. The symmetry of the castle’s design emphasized authority and distinguished it from the picturesque mansions in the earlier periods at Downton or Lowther, which Smirke also designed. The castle has a symmetrical central block with corner towers, making it an authoritarian structure. Pugin was summoned during the time of the 2nd Earl to decorate the Drawing Room in High Gothic revival style in 1849–1850, who had completed the remodelling of the House of Lords a few years back. The castle houses the Great Hall with a 60 ft high ceiling incorporating the beautiful armour collection. The library designed by George Fox was decorated with the Flemish tapestries ordered initially by Catherine de Medici, the charming dining room, and the state bedrooms. It holds an outstanding collection of art, including a group of striking family portraits.

The estate holds 5,000 acres, including four small lakes, rolling hills, and woodland parks. The parks are densely planted with a selection of trees, concentrated on the pinetum covering the mountain which rises to the immediate south of the castle. Opulence, splendour, and tranquillity are promised to whoever visits the charming castle and estate.

Movie Features

The Pallisers (1974-1975)– Eastnor Castle has been featured in the Romance- Drama TV Series ‘The Pallisers’, which stars Susan Hampshire, Philip Latham, Barbara Murray, and Moray Watson.

The Canterville Ghost (1986)– Based on the story by Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost is a Comedy Fantasy drama movie directed by Paul Bogart and beautifully features the castle.

Dracula (2006)– Directed by Bill Eagles, the Horror-Drama movie ‘Dracula’ features the castle in its best form, starring David Suchet, Marc Warren, Dan Stevens, and Sophia Myles.

The Black Prince (2017)– The History Drama movie ‘The Black Prince’ features Eastnor Castle in its dramatic story about Queen Victoria and the last King of Punjab. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Eastnor Castle?

Eastnor Castle is situated 3km south-east of Ledbury on the A438, in the County of Herefordshire, England. It sits two and a half hours north of London and two hours south of Manchester.

Who got married at Eastnor Castle?

The beautiful TV celebrity Davina McCall, known for the TV show Big Brother married Matthew Robertson in Eastnor Castle in 2000.

Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!

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He is a versatile E-Learning Support Officer and former Academic Officer at the University of York, United Kingdom. Not just an expert in education and technology, Debayan also has a deep love for castles and mountains. With a passion for travel, having explored 168+ cities worldwide, and a keen eye for photography, He brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. Specializing in E-learning content, IT support, AR development, and software engineering, Debayan has made a significant impact, educating over 200,000 students on Udemy.

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