Eastnor Castle Summary

• Address: Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RL (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1531 633160
• Fax: +44 (0)1531 631776
• Owner:
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Eastnor Castle website

The style proposed by the architect, the young Robert Smirke, was Norman Revival. From a distance, Eastnor was intended to create the impression of a medieval fortress guarding the Welsh Borders. The symmetry of the design emphasised authority, distinguishing it from the rambling, picturesque, castellated mansions of a slightly earlier period at Downton and Lowther, the latter also designed by Smirke.

By any standards, the Castle is a massive edifice and the construction team and materials used were on a similar scale. A workforce of 250 men working day and night were employed over the first six years of construction, and in the first eighteen months 4,000 tons of building stone, 16,000 tons of mortar and 600 tons of wood were used. By the time the building work was finished in 1820, the Castle had cost £85,923 13s 11½d - about £8.5 million in today's terms.

In 1939, all the Castle contents were removed, leaving it available for government use during the war, but it was never used. Lord Somers's widow returned to Eastnor and lived in the servants' wing between 1945 and 1949 in much reduced circumstances, the family having been hard hit by tax of £200,000 - £8 million today - on the death of her husband.

James Hervey-Bathurst came to live in Eastnor in 1988, and accelerated the restoration and internal repair of the Castle, which had been started by his parents, the Hon. Elizabeth Somers Cocks and Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst, who had moved into the Castle in 1949. Grants of over £250,000 from English Heritage went towards the cost of the external repairs. For further details, do have a look at their Website.

Opening Times - 2012

• 6th - 9th April: daily, 11 am - 4.30 pm
• 6th - 7th May: daily, 11 am - 4.30 pm
• 3rd - 5th June: daily, 11 am - 4.30 pm
• 10th June - 30th September: Sundays, 11 am - 4.30 pm
• 15th July - 30th August: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 4.30 pm

Last admission to the castle 4 pm, grounds open until 5 pm

Admission Prices - 2012

Castle & Grounds:

• Adult - £9.00
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £6.00
• Seniors - £8.00
• Family (2+3) - £24.00

Grounds only:

• Adult - £6.00
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £4.00
• Seniors - £5.00
• Family (2+3) - £16.00

Guided tours for groups can be pre-booked on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the year subject to availability

Groups (20+) per person

• Guided - £11.00
• Self-guided - £7.50
• Schools - £6.50

Groups (40+) per person

• Guided - £10.50
• Self-guided - £7.25
• Schools - £6.50

Privilege Pass:

Valid for 1 year and includes all Castle Special Events (apart from theatre productions)

• Adult - £22.50
• Seniors - £20.00
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £15.00
• Family (2+3) - £60.00

Owner: Mr J. Hervey-Bathurst

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Events for Eastnor Castle

• Caravan Club National Rally - Deer Park - 01 June 2012 to 05 June 2012
  Open to all, there is something for everyone to enjoy there is a stunning line-up of entertainment for all the family. For more information, please see their website.
• Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - 03 June 2012 to 04 June 2012
  11 am - 4.30 pm (last admission 4pm): Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at the Eastnor Garden Party - live music, vintage Land Rovers & Jaguars, swing-boat and chair-plane rides and model steam engine rides. On the lake there will be rowing boats. Come in period fancy dress and see if you win a prize. There tea-tent for afternoon tea.
• Summer Sunday Fun - 10 June 2012
  11am - 4.30pm (last admission 4pm): Have a go on the Valley Lawn zip wire, walk the nature and tree trail or play traditional lawn games plus the resident attractions such as the Knight's Maze, junior assault course, adventure playground & lakeside walk. In addition there is the new Burma Bridge treetop walkway and turret slide. Included in Grounds only admission: Adult - £6.00, Senior - £5.00, Child (3-15yrs) - £4.00, Family (2+3) - £16.00.
• Emergency SOS Day - 17 June 2012
  11 am - 4.30 pm (last admission 4 pm): Rescue displays presented by the local emergency services. Fire engines, rescue boats and ambulances on display. Plus fun for all the Family. Grounds Only Admission required: Adult - £6.00, Senior - £5.00, Child (3-15yrs) - £4.00, Family (2+3) - £16.00.

Your Reviews of Eastnor Castle

Jane McDermott (14 January 2006)

I visited Eastnor back in 2000 and thoroughly enjoyed it as I have a passion for history. I believe Mr Hervey-Bathurst and his wife became parents on November 2nd 2005 to a daughter Stella Mary. If this is correct please may I send belated congratulations.

Additional Info for Eastnor Castle

• Parks
• Gardens
• Groups
• Playgrounds
• Dogs allowed
• Weddings
• Disabled Access
• Education
• Accommodation
• Refreshments
• Picnics
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Conferences
• Filming
• Gifts
• Nursery
• Live Entertainment
• Shop
• Car Parking

Heritage Groups

• Historic Houses Association

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