ELVASTON CASTLE

Derbyshire

A very handsome example of "mock gothick" Elvaston Castle's glory is its grounds which are extensive and contain a number of very peculiar stone structures.

Charles Stanhope, the 3rd Earl of Harrington, built this Castle around an existing mansion.  He commissioned James Wyatt to draw up plans in 1812.  Wyatt died the following year and the work was completed by Lewis Cottingham.  The Castle was completed by 1840.

The 4th Earl married an actress, Maria Foote, and asked Capability Brown to lay out gardens for him.  Brown refused, saying the land was too flat, and the work was carried out by William Barron instead.  Elvaston made Barron's name and he went on to rival Brown.

For 20 years the 4th Earl and his actress lived in solitude here.  His instructions were "If the Queen comes, show her around, but admit no-one else".  When he died in 1851 the Castle became one of the first gardens open to the public in Britain.  In World War II the Castle became a college.  It was sold in 1963 and for six years Barron's wonderful gardens were allowed to go to seed.  Thankfully the Estate was bought in 1969 by Derbyshire County Council, who still own it today.  Although the Castle itself is not open to the public the wonderful, fully restored, grounds are.

Roy was married to Rachel here in 2006.

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2018