History

The story starts in 1840 when John Tollemache bought 26,000 acres of land which included the villages of Peckforton and Beeston. The Tollemache family ancestral home was, and still is in Helmingham, Suffolk where Elizabeth 1 is said to have stayed in 1578.

John Tollemach's dream was to build on the top of the Peckforton Hills a fortified home in the style of a medieval castle and to this end work commenced in 1842 but the magnitude of the project meant it was not completed until 1851. Such a unique and magnificent project has since been rewarded by English Heritage giving it the status of a Grade 1 Listed Building. The forest planted soon after the completion of the castle has since been awarded the status of S.S.S.I (Site of Special Scientific Importance).

The Architect was Anthony Salvin, who was also responsible for various other castles around the country in the late 19th century. The design follows the Norman style of architecture which prevailed in the time of Edward 1. It should be emphasised that Peckforton castle is not 'pseudo' or 'mock' but is a real castle built on the 15th century model and capable of being just as effective as a fortress of that time.

The exterior presents a magnificent pile of buildings including a Chapel, Keep, Stables, Coach House, Grain Store, Bakery and servant's quarters with the whole castle being built in Redstone quarried on the adjacent hill.

The experience of visiting the castle actually starts when leaving the public highway and passing through the Gate House Lodge and then driving up through the forest for approximately ¾ of a mile before entering the castle ward via an open carriage-way protected by a portcullis.

John Tollemache became a Lord in 1876 in recognition of his services to agriculture and also served as a Conservative MP and JP for many years. He is reputed to have rebuilt over 100 farmhouses, modernised the buildings on his estate and to have spent £280,000 on farmsteads and cottages.

He became the father of 24 sons (by his two marriages) and one daughter. Only 12 of his sons survived him. He died in 1890 at the ripe old age of 85 and was succeeded by his son Wilbraham Frederick who died in 1904 and who in turn was succeeded by his grandson Bentley Lionel John.

Lord Bentley Tollemache was a clever engineer and a very keen croquet player and so kept the lawn within the ward meticulously for this purpose.

He died in January 1955 and was succeeded by his cousin Lord John Edward Hamilton Tollemache as Fourth Baron. On his death in 1975 his eldest son Timothy John Edward succeeded to the title and continues to be head of the household.

The last member of the Tollemache family to live in the castle was Lord Bentley; he left Peckforton and took up residence in Eastbourne in 1939.

During the war the castle was used as a hostel for physically handicapped children evacuated from the London area.

The castle contained some very fine pictures but these, along with the furniture were sold by auction between 1946 and 1953. Apart from Tollemache family gatherings and one off events the castle remained unused until 1969. From 1969 to 1980 one wing of the castle was rented by an American, Mr B Barratt and his French wife and their family.

Over the years the castle has been used by producers as a location for making movies, both television and for the cinema, namely; 'Gawain and the Green Knight', Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who.

During the 80's the new tenants used it for a private club called 'The Treasure Trap', the members of which don medieval costumes and play 'George and the Dragon' type fantasy games.

In 1989 the castle was purchased by a Mrs E Graybill. After an extensive renovation programme she secured Planning permission to convert the premises to a hotel and gained a license to undertake Civil Wedding Ceremonies.

By the Millennium the castle was hosting weddings, a business which slowly increased but meant the premises were never used on a full time basis. It was this situation together with improving on what had already been achieved that prompted the Naylor family to investigate the possibility of buying the business.

In June 2006 the deal was completed.

Twelve months into their ownership, Peckforton Castle has been transformed by a one million pound refurbishment together with a marketing campaign into a 24/7 business where exclusive weddings, the business man and leisure guests can stay and enjoy 'One Mans Dream' of all those years ago.

The story continues