| Beckington Castle | |
|---|---|
 Beckington Castle in 2015 | |
| Location | Beckington,Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°15′44″N2°17′18″W / 51.26222°N 2.28833°W /51.26222; -2.28833 |
| Built | 17th century |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | The Castle |
| Designated | 11 March 1968[1] |
| Reference no. | 1296202 |
  Location of Beckington Castle in Somerset | |
Beckington Castle is a historic house in the village ofBeckington,Somerset, England. It is a Grade II*listed building.[1]
It was built in the early 17th century on the site of a medieval building. It has been home to various nobility and local businessmen, also serving as a hotel and school. It is now used as offices.
It was originally built in the early 17th century,[1] on the site of an earlier medieval building by William Long, a clothier and patron ofBeckington Church.[2] In 1569 William's son Thomas lived there. At some time before 1616 it was sold toJames Ley, 1st Earl of Marlborough who wasLord Chief Justice of theKing's Bench inIreland and then in England; he was an EnglishMember of Parliament and wasLord High Treasurer from 1624 to 1628. He was also a founder member of theSociety of Antiquaries.
Several local merchants owned the building in the 18th century including Christopher Brewer, Samuel Love, and Nathaniel Mortimer. In the 1780s, Beckington Castle came into the hands of the Chislett family who owned it until 1870. It wasn't until 1839, that the name 'Castle House' was applied to the building.[3] This later evolved into 'The Castle' and later 'Beckington Castle'. In 1870 George Esdaile bought the Castle for £450, the next owner was ColonelAugustus Hill who held it from 1896 until 1901.[4]
Edward Milles Nelson was owner from 1902 to 1926. He was President of theRoyal Microscopical Society and author of 'The Cult of Circle Builders'. It was then the home ofCaptain John Hamilton of theColdstream Guards, who later became the 3rd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell, and in 1942 it was the birthplace of his second son the politicianArchie Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of Epsom.[5]
It has also served as a hotel, and an antiques showroom. From 1945 to 1970, theRavenscroft School occupied the building. In February, 1966, a fire began in the Castle's boiler room and some of the interior was destroyed.[6] Ravenscroft closed for a week, then continued to operate in its outbuildings while the extensive damage was made good.
The building is reputedly haunted and it may have been the first building in England which was described in an advertisement for sale as being more desirable because it was haunted.[7]
In 1989, the Castle, which was in poor condition,[8] and grounds were purchased by Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd (SEA), which provides technical and procurement support to theMinistry of Defence.[9] Between 1995 and 1996 Beckington Castle was restored by SEA as their headquarters, in co-operation withMendip Council andEnglish Heritage.[10]
The three-storey building has three tallgables withcopings andfinials along the front with two similar gables on each side.[1]
