Eastnor Castle

Eastnor CastleEastnorHerefordshire, is a 19th-century mock castle. Eastnor was built for The 1st Earl Somers, who employed Robert Smirke, who was later to work at the British Museum, as his architect. The castle was built between 1811–1820. Major schemes of interior decoration were carried out by A.W.N. Pugin in 1849–1850. Eastnor remains a private home, and is currently the residence of James Hervey-Bathurst, the grandson of Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers. It is a Grade I listed building. The surrounding gardens and parkland are designated Grade II*.[1]

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle

12 Comments CherryPie on Aug 19th 2021

12 Responses to “Eastnor Castle”

  1. lowcarbdiabeticJan says:

    Beautiful photographs and reflections :)

    All the best Jan

  2. Beautiful photos. It is on my list of places to visit but other side of Herefordshire to us so may be best to visit on way home or on way there!!

    • CherryPie says:

      If you want to walk around the lake as well as visit the castle you need to allow 2-3 hours. I love the castle grounds and lake walk best :-)

  3. Sackerson says:

    Nice; just big enough for all the books I want!

  4. This mock castle looks just like a real one.
    But the lake is a bit quiet, we need some swans to make it livelier.

    • CherryPie says:

      There were fish and fishermen. One with a large trolley that blocked the pathway rather than move his trolley to one side he directed us to step out of his way into the long grass.

      That was a bit lively ;-)

  5. I remember reluctantly passing Eastnor several years ago; it looks idyllic, CP.

  6. is Eastnor Castle a 19th-century “mock” castle only because it knowingly copied the architectural style from the past? I hope not, because A.W.N. Pugin took the interior decorations seriously, as did the designers of the gardens and parkland.

    The view over the water is stunning.

    • CherryPie says:

      No it does not copy architecture from the past. The first Earl commisioned the building of the castle to impress his contemporaries and elevate his family status to the higher ranks of the ruling class. The architect was Robert Smirke.