Cholmondeley Castle
Cholmondeley Castle | ||
---|---|---|
OS grid reference SJ 536 513 | | |
Built | 1801–04 | |
Built for | George Cholmondeley, 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley | |
Architect | William Turner, Robert Smirke | |
Listed Building – Grade II* | ||
Designated | 10 June 1952 | |
Reference no. | 1135794 | |
Cholmondeley Castle is a
The first formal garden was designed in the 17th century by
During the Second World War, the house and grounds were used for a variety of military purposes which included a hospital. Until her death in November 2015, the house was occupied by Lavinia, Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, mother of the present Marquess who lives in the other family seat, Houghton Hall in Norfolk. The house is not open to the public, but the park and gardens are open during the summer season. A variety of events are organised in the grounds and one of the lodges can be used as a holiday cottage.
History
Old Hall
The site of the house has been a family seat of the Cholmondeley family since the 12th century.
Present house
Building of the new house in the style of a castle began in 1801. It was designed mainly by the Earl in collaboration with the architect William Turner of
Later history
In common with many other country estates and stately homes, special roles were allocated to Cholmondeley during the
The house was designated a Grade II* listed building on 10 June 1952.[10] The current Marquess, David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess, does not live at Cholmondeley but at the other family seat, Houghton Hall in Norfolk.[11] Until her death in November 2015, Cholmondeley Castle was occupied by his mother, Lavinia.[b][11]
Architecture
Exterior
The house is constructed in
Interior
The loggia leads into the double-height entrance hall. This has blind arcades on the side walls. Opposite the entrance is an open arcade leading to a north–south passage. Beyond this is the ante-room with its large, canted bay window. This room has a simple dentil cornice. To the north of it is the dining room with a marble mantlepiece, a cornice decorated with gilded flowers and leaves and, in the ceiling, rosettes with a large central rose with a chandelier. To the south of the ante-room is the drawing room. Here the cornice is decorated with arrows pointing downward and there is a central rose with a chandelier. Leading from the drawing room is the staircase hall with an open-well staircase. The hall is top-lit from a timber lantern and the stairs are in black marble. The wrought iron balustrade on the stairs and landing was made by Robert Bakewell and moved from the Old Hall. The handrail is in rosewood. To the south of the staircase hall is the nursery suite and the library.[10] The Bird Room, between the staircase and the drawing room, contains a collection of muniments. The arrangement of rooms and corridors in the upper rooms is complex.[7] The kitchens and domestic offices are in the basement.[13]
Grounds
Chapel
The Grade I listed chapel[14] originated as a timber-framed structure in the 13th century. It was encased in brick and extended in 1717 and further additions were made in 1829 and 1840. It has a slate roof and is in a cruciform plan. Much of its furniture dates from the 17th century. The Cholmondeley family pew is at the west end, in an elevated position.[15]
Gardens and park
The first formal gardens were established in the 17th century by
The house is surrounded by a terrace, to the south of which are three interlinked gardens: the Silver Garden, the Lily Pool Garden and an area containing a swimming pool. Beyond are lawns, groups of specimen trees and shrubs, gravelled paths and a walled garden. A major feature is the Temple Garden which contains an irregular pool within which are two small islands. On one of the islands is a structure in the form of a temple. At the west end of the garden is a rotunda. To the northwest of the Temple Garden is the Rose Garden. Beyond the gardens is a park, which is mainly grassland with some trees. Features in the park include a ha-ha and two lakes; Chapel Mere and Deer Park Mere. Since 10 June 1985 the gardens and park have been listed as Grade II in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The area covered by the designation amounts to about 240 ha.[1]
Listed buildings
In addition to the house being listed Grade II* and the chapel Grade I, there are other listed structures associated with the house. Richard Bakewell's screen, standing across the main drive, is listed as Grade II*.
Present day
The house is not open to visitors but during the summer season the gardens are open to the public.[36] Available facilities include tea rooms,[37] picnic and play areas,[38] and a nature trail.[39] Visitors can see a variety of farm animals in the stables and paddocks.[40] During the summer season a programme of events is organised, including an annual Pageant of Power.[41] Somerset Lodge is available for use as a holiday cottage.[42] The Cheshire Hunt Hounds meet here occasionally.
See also
- Listed buildings in Cholmondeley, Cheshire
- Peckforton Castle (another country house in Cheshire in the form of a castle)
Notes and references
Notes
Citations
- ^ a b Historic England, "Cholmondeley Castle (1000638)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ a b de Figueiredo & Treuherz (1988), p. 52
- ^ "No. 17066". The London Gazette. 30 September 1815. p. 1997.
- ^ de Figueiredo & Treuherz (1988), p. 53
- ^ de Figueiredo & Treuherz (1988), pp. 53, 56
- ^ Groves (2004), p. 25
- ^ a b Hartwell et al. (2011), p. 286
- ^ Czechs in Exile: Cholmondeley Castle, Czechoslovak Government in Exile Research Society, archived from the original on 7 February 2012, retrieved 17 December 2013
- ^ Hobbs, Andrew (18 January 2010), "Cheshire's stately homes in the war effort", Cheshire Life, Archant Community Media, retrieved 17 December 2010
- ^ a b c Historic England, "Cholmondeley Castle (1135794)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ a b Lacey, Stephen (15 June 2012), "Restoration man: the story of Houghton Hall", The Daily Telegraph, retrieved 17 December 2012
- ^ "Lavinia, Marchioness of Cholmondeley - obituary", The Daily Telegraph, retrieved 21 November 2015
- ^ de Figueiredo & Treuherz (1988), p. 56
- ^ Historic England, "The Chapel of St Nicholas (1138593)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Richards (1947), pp. 126–129
- ^ Groves (2004), pp. 18–21
- ^ Groves (2004), pp. 21–25
- ^ Historic England, "Gates and screen across the main (S.W.) approach to Cholmondeley Castle (1330124)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Temple in the Temple Gardens, Cholmondeley (1138596)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Rotunda in the Temple Gardens, Cholmondeley (1313058)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Bridge over Lily Pond in Temple Gardens, Cholmondeley (1138597)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Lead cherub ornament in Temple Gardens, Cholmondeley (1330128)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Gated entrance to Temple Gardens, Cholmondeley (1135870)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "The Chapel North Gates, Cholmondeley (1135847)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "The Chapel South Gates, Cholmondeley (1330126)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Dee Park Lodge, Cholmondeley (1138595)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Park House Lodge, Cholmondeley (1330125)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Somerset Lodge, Cholmondeley (1313077)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Nantwich Lodge, Cholmondeley (1135865)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Beeston Lodge, Cholmondeley (1138594)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "The Old Hall, Cholmondeley (1135851)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "The Mews, Cholmondeley (1138592)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Park House, Cholmondeley (1135835)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Scotch Farm, Cholmondeley (1135826)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Stone bridge east of Somerset Lodge, Cholmondeley (1312997)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Visitor Information, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, archived from the original on 19 December 2013, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Tea Rooms, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Picnic & Play Areas, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Nature Trail, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Farm Animals and Aviary, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ News & Events, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
- ^ Holiday Cottage, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, retrieved 15 December 2013
Sources
- de Figueiredo, Peter; Treuherz, Julian (1988), Cheshire Country Houses, Chichester: Phillimore, ISBN 0-85033-655-4
- Groves, Linden (2004), Historic Parks & Gardens of Cheshire, Ashbourne: Landmark, ISBN 1-84306-124-4
- Hartwell, Clare; Hyde, Matthew; ISBN 978-0-300-17043-6
- Richards, Raymond (1947), Old Cheshire Churches, London: Batsford, OCLC 719918
External links