Longford Castle

Longford Castle is a large house of exceptional architectural importance, originally built in 1591 by Thomas Gorges. The structure displays the characteristic Elizabethan triangular plan with two towers and linking wings, to which two additional towers and wings were added during the 19th century to the east.

The main north-west entrance front is symmetrical and three storeys high, comprising 11 windows. It was substantially restored by Anthony Salvin in the 1870s. The entrance features a central round-arched door, flanked by five-bay loggias on the ground and first floors with a recessed second floor above. At either side are projecting bays of two windows with central niches, linked by recessed bays to three-storey flanking round towers. The left tower was altered by Salvin with the addition of a basement, while the right tower retains its original character. All windows are cross windows. Decorative features include caryatids, string courses, pilasters and three Dutch gables. Circular chimney stacks are grouped in sets of five, while the towers have battlemented parapets with stacks.

The south or garden front was entirely rebuilt by Salvin in 1876 in 17th-century style. This front is symmetrical, three storeys high and nine windows wide, with flanking towers. Two round-arched doors are positioned to the left and right, with cross windows lighting the ground and first floors. The second floor has five three-light mullioned windows. A central recessed bay features a balustraded parapet. String courses, two projecting bays with Dutch gables, and tall square stacks with circular stacks to the flanking towers complete the composition. Attached to the right is a single-storey two-window range, also by Salvin, which links the south-east tower to Alexander's east tower; this latter was reduced by one storey in the 1950s.

The building is constructed of Chilmark stone with flint bands, with Westmorland slate roofs and lead domes to the stair turrets. The ashlar chimney stacks are a notable feature throughout.

The east and north ranges and north tower were designed by D. A. Alexander between 1802 and 1817, and subsequently altered by Salvin. The tower is built in banded stone and flint, whilst the ranges are executed in buff-coloured Flemish bond brick. The two-storey east range with basement features cross windows and formerly comprised five bays, though it was partly demolished following a fire in 1949. The north range is a five-bay service wing with three-light mullioned and transomed windows, two storeys and a basement with a prominent glacis.

The interior contains remarkable original Elizabethan features, including three circular stair turrets with stone spiral stairs positioned in the angles of the central triangular court. The south-west tower on the ground floor retains wainscot panelling and a carved stone overmantel depicting Vulcan. The former chapel on the first floor possesses a fine ribbed vaulted ceiling with a central pendant boss and a carved overmantel of circa 1600 depicting Orpheus, brought from elsewhere.

18th-century work includes fittings in the Picture Gallery of the 1730s and the Green Drawing Room of circa 1741. A fine Rysbrack fire surround and overmantel of 1744 is located in the ground floor of the south-east tower, together with composite capitals to black marble columns in the chapel, executed by H. Barrell.

Extensive refitting and rearrangement of the interior was undertaken by Salvin, including the insertion of a glass dome covering the central court with wrought-iron galleries at first-floor level. Many marble fireplaces and fine six-panelled mahogany doors were introduced, and ribbed plaster ceilings replaced 18th-century plasterwork. The original hall was formerly situated in the position of the present billiard room, to the right of the front door.

The development of the house reflects broader architectural trends: Gorges's original design, completed by 1591, was probably influenced by Tresham's Lodge at Rushton, begun in 1580. James Wyatt prepared a hexagonal scheme for remodelling in 1796, commissioned by the 2nd Earl of Radnor, which was only partially executed by D. A. Alexander between 1802 and 1817. The 4th Earl of Radnor commissioned Anthony Salvin to undertake substantial restoration and additions in the 1870s.

The house is documented in a series of plans and drawings made by Thacker in the 1680s when it was owned by Lord Coleraine. It was sold to the Bouverie family in 1717 and has remained in their ownership to the present day. The surrounding park was partly landscaped by Capability Brown.