allington castle open garden allington castle open garden

To quote Lord Conway as he first saw itthe site in 1905 'its walls and fine visible towers were buried in ivy most of its moat had been filled in there were neither floors nor roofs '. It was replaced by a manor house, which was fortified with royal permission in the 13th century. Allington Castle (Maidstone): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. This remarkable space is ideal for a romantic and elegant ceremony, wedding breakfasts or for smaller intimate weddings as an alternative to going to the registrars office. [3], The present castle was built between 127999 by Stephen de Pencester, the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who was granted a licence to crenellate the existing manor house by Edward I. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. It was formally opened on June 5th 1878. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. [8] Conway had posted an advertisement in The Times stating: "Wanted to purchase, an old manor-house or abbey, built in the 16th century or earlier. Let Allington Castle provide the perfect setting for your fairytale wedding, surrounded by eco-friendly gardens and a commitment to sustainable practices. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Unlike many other venues, we include a range of cost-saving things to ensure that your day is as stress-free as possible. We weren't lucky. The range dividing the two courtyards contains the Long Gallery on the upper floor, with offices below. Pettigrew's account mentions the presence of flower beds in the park and bridges over the lake and that a fountain was erected in the park around 1859. It was replaced by a manor house, which was fortified with royal permission in the 13th century. Just to its north, adjoining the west curtain wall, is the Penchester Lodgings, one of two surviving ranges of early buildings, which may incorporate remains of the earlier manor house. Kent's Most Exclusive Wedding Venue and Film Location, Your email address will not be published. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. As an upmarket wedding venue, Allington Castle provides a romantic and luxurious setting for your special day. As a result of fire damage in the late 16th century, it was abandoned until 1905. Located in a glassed-off area of the barn, guests can sit down and relax without feeling separated from the party. It is a grade I listed building and is used as a wedding venue, though there is no public access other than occasional tours involving trips from Maidstone town centre on the Kentish Lady river boat. Trees, and screenery were planted, including poplars (some fine Populus nigra) and a tulip tree. Evening receptions take place in our beautifully restored 17th-century barn as the lit-up castle provides a stunning backdrop to the festivities. Tickets cost 13 - 19 and the journey takes 1h 45m. The castle was the site of the filming of the music video for "Lover Chanting" (released in 2018)[16] by the Swedish band Little Dragon. The interiors are fully furnished and in character with its Medieval origins, with Tapestries, antique furniture and Great Hall . You'll then be taken to a map showing results. You will need to check if they have a visit during your stay. The Castle was the site of filming the 1965 episode Castle Death of The Avengers TV series. In 1895, a retired London barrister named Dudley C. Falke rented the castle from Lord Romney and began the lengthy task of restoration. It has been open to the public since 1976. . Catering: You can use our catering partner Invicta Food Design, or we can cater for smaller buffet styles in-house. Kent's Most Exclusive Wedding Venue and Film Location. Allington Castle is one of Kent's most exclusive wedding and civil ceremony destinations. At Allington Castle, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of garden styles to suit all preferences. Each area was planted with areas of mixed deciduous and conifer trees. TV series The Royals (20152018). To preserve a clean and smoke-free environment, we permit smoking and vaping only in two designated areas. [8] He was able to draw on his own and his wife's wealth, and his efforts were also supported by his wife's wealthy stepfather, a businessman named Manton Marble. In January 1537 Henry VIII decided to send him as resident ambassador to the Emperor and . Wodehouse's . Their most illustrious member, Sir Thomas Wyatt, received a whole batch of properties in the area at the dissolution in 1538 (Boxley/Malling Abbeys, Aylesford Priory) but he then lost his head for his part in the anti-catholic Kent Rebellion (1554). A lovely beautiful tour of the castle. Allington Castle is one of the most secretive and romantically beautiful castles in Kent. Welcome to Allington Castle - A Historic Kent Castle and Upmarket Wedding Venue Kent's Allington Castle is a medieval 12th-century castle nestled in 42 acres of picturesque woodland on the banks of the Medway River, located about three miles northwest of Maidstone. You need too use Kentish Lady to be able to access this, this adds enjoyment to the trip, cruise up the river, visit caste and cake and hot drink on the return journey. IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE CONTACTING US FOR SMALL PRIVATE TOURS: To ensure the safety and security of all staff and visitors, it is necessary for at least one person in the tour group to provide a copy of their basic DBS check, which can be obtained at https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. From these gates a wide avenue of lime trees heads north-north-east to Sophia Close. Our grounds are home to a diverse array of thriving wildlife. Allington castle tour with the kentish lady. It is named after Sophia Rawdon-Hastings, the widow of the 2nd Marquess of Bute who oversaw the creation of the park, which was built to compensate for the withdrawal in 1855 of public access to Cooper's Field and Castle Green. We offer a range of amenities to make the filming process as smooth as possible, including: In addition to being a castle film location, Allington Castle can also be used as a stately home and haunted property for spooky productions. With its breathtaking architecture and picturesque surroundings, its no wonder that our castle has become synonymous with Kents cinematic charm. It subsequently became a centre for ecumenical work with the monastic community at Aylesford taking on responsibility for running it. The castle has also been featured in the hit series The Royals (2016 2018), PinkPantheress filmed her short film Feast on This at Allington Castle, which was featured in this. [1][2] According to historian Sidney Painter, it was one of at least 21 castles demolished on Henry II's instructions. North of this a continuation of the avenue passes the Welsh National Sports Centre and associated car park, football and hockey pitches and the SWALEC Cricket Stadium. Allington Castle is not open to the public - so the only way to get a glimpse of this stunning building is from the River Park. Previous Post Previous String Quartet in the Italian Gardens. The first castle on the site was an unauthorised fortification, built during "The Anarchy" (1135-1153) and t orn down later in the century when royal control was reasserted. 1926 revised 1933-4, Vol I, p38-53. Henry VII visited it during Wyatt's tenure. Search for the name, locality, period or a feature of a locality. The park was accessible from the northern end via a driveway off Cathedral Road which terminated in a turning circle. The extensive gardens are a photographic dream set out in a Medieval style with Italian gardens, Lavender walk, Parterre, Courtyard & formal ponds. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The property was developed into a fortified compound with six towers at irregular intervals along the curtain wall and domestic buildings in the interior, including one of the first long galleries built in England. Over the last few years, we have developed a flourishing meadow bank to support local butterfly populations. This was used for many years to stage large entertainment functions and shows, though its last function was a night club. Today it is owned by Sir Robert Worcester as a private residence and is not open to the public. [12], Conway decided to purchase the castle's freehold from Lord Romney at a cost of 4,800 and spent the next 30 years restoring it with the assistance of the architects W. D. Caroe and Philip Tilden. However, this proved too expensive for his resources. The castle entered a state of decay that was accelerated by fires, neglect and vandalism, until it was largely ruined by the start of the 20th century. Visited with a group, what a lovely place, very interesting talk from 2 very funny guides Colin and Adrian. At some stage in the early-20th century the lake was filled in. Our outstanding garden team, led by Head Gardener Adrian and his skilled team members Jacqui and Alec, diligently maintain our enchanting, sustainable garden and conduct our private tours. [7] The ruins of a barbican can be seen on the far side of the moat. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Recommended, A fantastic experience to see the castle at Allington and its wonderful gardens. Delve into our pages to discover all we offer, from one of Kents best film locations to our luxurious upmarket wedding venue services. The castle is also surrounded by beautifully restored gardens, featuring ornamental ponds and fountains, Italian gardens, Lavender walk, rose arbor with temple and a walled Tiltyard garden. Date of experience: June 2018. Both tour guides were very knowledgable and friendly. Our eco-friendly gardens and wildflower meadows demonstrate our commitment to the environment, providing a sustainable setting for your special day surrounded by natural beauty and biodiversity. 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This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Its rather neglected state at present makes it seem even more authentically Italian and there is great atmosphere. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Restoration continued for the next 25 years using skilled local craftsmen to carefully rebuild and renovate the castle. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If youre lucky, you may see one. The tour lasts about an hour and a half and you get to see most of the grounds, the two castle courtyards and the great hall. [1] The plotters had held their first meeting at the castle before marching to London; after the rebellion had been crushed, many of the failed rebels were imprisoned in the castle. [1] Henry was said to have been so concerned for his personal safety while staying in the castle's north-east tower that he had the single entry, a spiral staircase, blocked off by a dry stone wall each night that he was there. Does NOT include catering. It doesn't matter whether you would like uninterrupted sessions or a full day of activities with tours of the castle and gardens; we can meet most of your needs. Find the travel option that best suits you. There is a photograph of the south lodge on the Cardiff Library website where it is stated that it was damaged by a bomb during World War 2. The gatehouse and the Penchester wing had been completely restored and most of the old keep had been completed as well. The river walk was very good, though. In 1936, the castle was loaned to the MP for Maidstone, Alfred (later Lord) Bossom. [15], Allington Castle takes the form of an irregular parallelogram with a curtain wall incorporating six round towers of various sizes. Managed to visit this beautiful castle while attending a wedding, the grounds were amazing and you were able to walk around these in the evening. For enquiries, please see our dedicated film shoot page. If filming requires setup and knock-down time beyond twelve hours, please allow additional time to be charged at a rate of 450 per hour or part thereof. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The cost for a two-hour tour, which includes the gardens and some of the more restricted areas of the castle, is 750 + VAT for the entire group. Twilight Wedding Ceremony from 4:30 pm to 6 pm in the Great Hall with up to 100 guests and garden access for photographs. The castle was then purchased by Sir Martin Conway, who partially restored it. The Castle was the site of the filming of the 1965 episode "Castle De'ath" of The Avengers TV series. I went on a trip arranged through the Kentish Lady River Tours. Our knowledgeable tour guides, Adrian and Jacqui, bring stories to life as they share the castles rich history. Visited by Henry 8th, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth 1st and Cardinal Wolsey among others it is now a private residence and (unfortunately) is not open to the public, but it can be hired as a wedding venue and for film shoots. It was replaced by a manor house, which was fortified with royal permission in the 13th century. The Great Hall was rebuilt by 1927, and the restoration of the north-east wing was completed by 1932. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Adjacent to Cowbridge Road there is still a small area of grass with some trees. Visited with a group, what a lovely place, very interesting talk from 2 very funny guides Colin and Adrian. He is not known to have been justice of the peace in Kent, although he had a year as sheriff and he was named to a commission of sewers. [10], Allington Castle was bought in 1720 by Sir Robert Marsham, the 2nd Baron Romney and a descendant of the Wyatts, but he did not live there and let it deteriorate. Jackie was very lovely. The Taff Trail from Cardiff to Brecon also passes through the park. Search for the name, locality, period or a feature of a locality. The trip is by boat on the Kentish Lady which only adds to the charm of the visit. It was Cardiff's and Wales' first public park. Admission is By Appointment Only. 4. The castle is a private residence which has been used for filming by projects such as Covington Cross (1992) and Bernard Matthews and Mars commercials. You wont need to worry about outside contractors as we take care of everything for you. Will be recommending this place to friends and family. We want your special day to be memorable and enjoyable, which is why we take care of the details so you can focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime. The banqueting hall and main apartments stood against the east curtain wall. All that remains of the original castle is a section of wall and the kitchen fireplace built in 1174. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. South Eastern Trains Service. You can book a private visit with the Kentish Lady boat company, but the don't do them often. It is enclosed by a circular hedge and massive stone pergola piers at the south end (cross members all missing). In addition, our exquisite parterres, manicured lawns and fountain present a more traditional, elegant setting for capturing unforgettable wedding photographs. Allington Castle is a stunning and versatile location for film and television shoots, situated in the heart of Kent, near London and the South East of England. Perhaps the most notable performance ever staged at the park was Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which came for a week in September 1891. The few dwellings around the castle had a population of 49 in 1841. You can find out more about . The Millennium footbridge, which links Sophia Gardens and Bute Park, was constructed in 1999. A fantastic experience to see the castle at Allington and its wonderful gardens. The castle was one of several locations used for the E! Over the years the park became the favoured location for a wide variety of functions and shows. It is sadly now almost engulfed by housing and industrial development. Traffic noise however does mar the peace of the place. We often receive inquiries regarding special private tours for small groups or families with a connection to the Wyatt family. We are not open to thepublic; all viewings are by prior arrangement. With its breathtaking architecture and picturesque surroundings, its no wonder that our castle has become synonymous with Kents cinematic charm. There has been some storm damage, mainly affecting conifers. Allington Castle has been featured in numerous films and television productions, making it a sought-after location for filmmakers. Our eco-friendly gardens and wildflower meadows demonstrate our commitment to the environment, providing a sustainable setting for your special day surrounded by natural beauty and biodiversity. [8], The castle and manor were granted in 1568 to John Astley, Queen Elizabeth's Master of the Jewel House, though he did not live there. If you are interested in arranging an exclusive tour for a group of up to eight people, please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. You can invite extra guests to make up a maximum of 150 guests. As a private residence, we must remind you that we are not open to the public. [1] The castle is not open to the public, but is used as a wedding venue. Corbens, a local building firm, was hired to carry out the work and provided traditional craftsmen to undertake the restoration in an architecturally and historically sympathetic style. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The castle was depicted as the Locksley (or Loxley) Castle of Lord Gilbert during the Crusades era. According to Pettigrew, Sophia Gardens was first noted as a public walk for Cardiff around 1857 and opened in 1858. After Agnes died in 1950 the castle was sold by her husband to the Order of Carmelites from the nearby Aylesford Priory at a price of 15,000, and it became the home of a community of Carmelite Friars from March 1951. The Wyatts enlarged the castle. The fortification was subsequently expanded but as it was an unauthorised adulterine castle, Henry II ordered its demolition (slighting) in 1174. Read our page about The Wyatt Family! It was saved and restored by the efforts of Sir Martin Conway and his wife during the first half of the century. [7][1] It has largely been reconstructed, though the 15th-century porch is original. The castle is stunning and reminds me a lot of Hever but arguably with more medieval features. It also showed there to be an island at the northern end of the lake upon which there was a boat house. Estate Manager Craig Bruun and Events Manager Kerrie Gibbons look forward to discussing your film and television shoot requirements. . The future of Allington now seems assured. . [12] The friars eventually vacated the castle in 1999. A gatehouse, incorporating the remains of the original manor house from which the castle developed, stands on the north-west side. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. This historical gem provides a fascinating glimpse into Englands rich past, surrounded by the natural beauty of its woodland and riverside setting. Close to the north-east corner of the car park the Millennium footbridge crosses the Taff into Bute Park. The castle is privately owned, so access is limited to certain pre arranged trips. Original manuscript version consulted. The tour lasts about an hour and a half and you get to see most of the. He undertook major alterations, dividing the courtyard into two unequal parts by constructing a two-storeyed building which contained what may have been one of the first long galleries in England. A lovely beautiful tour of the castle. As a result of fire damage in the late 16th century, it was abandoned until 1905. Country House: Yes The House from a 1923 postcard . The castle was the site of the filming of the 1975 children's movie Robin Hood Junior, produced by the Children's Film Foundation (CFF) and starring Keith Chegwin as young Robin. [6] It seems to have been neglected subsequently; it is described by documentary sources as being in a very bad condition by 139899. The tour lasts about an hour and a half and you get to see most of the grounds, the two castle courtyards and the great hall. Get your early bird discount! Please use this box to ask questions and to request a viewing. The trip is by boat on the Kentish Lady which only adds to the charm of the visit. Kent's Most Exclusive Wedding Venue and Film Location. Kerrie Gibbons, our events manager, masterfully orchestrates unforgettable occasions, while Jen takes care of housekeeping and cooking for the castles owners, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The main entrance gateway was close to the junction of Cowbridge Road East and Cathedral Road, from which an avenue of lime trees lead northwards to a lake at the northern end of the park. There was a path alongside the river which, from about the middle of the park northwards, was on a raised embankment. The CBBC historical sketch show Horrible Histories used the castle for the Richard III song. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Allington Castle is a one thousand year-old edifice and is oozing with history. Train operators. Please also note that we are legally obligated to inform visitors that we are registered with the Information Commissions Office (ICO) and utilize CCTV surveillance both inside and outside the castle for the purposes of crime detection and prevention. What restaurants are near Allington Castle? We weren't lucky. The castle is privately owned, so access is limited to certain pre arranged trips. Contact our team today to start planning the wedding of your dreams. The house is set in 450 acre of garden landscape . Henry VIII also visited in 1527, 1530 and 1536, as did Cardinal Wolsey in 1527 and Catherine Parr in 1544.