Old Wardour Castle

DONHEAD ST. ANDREW ST 92 NW 4/20

WARDOUR PARK (east side)

Old Wardour Castle (previously listed in Tisbury C.P.)

25.10.51

GV I

Castle, now ruin. 1390s for John, fifth Lord Lovel, remodelled 1570s for Sir Matthew Arundell by Robert Smythson. Limestone ashlar. Hexagonal plan with projecting towers flanking north entrance, enclosed hexagonal courtyard. Two storeys, 6 windows to entrance. Central 1570s round-arched doorway with block rustication to pilasters, shell-headed niches either side, Latin inscription over records rebuilding date, hall above lit by two large C14 pointed windows with missing tracery, corbels for machicolation over, flanking towers have four symmetrically placed 2-light Tudor-arched windows and moulded string course with rosettes to former parapet. Other sides have groups of three Tudor-arched lights some being blind to complete the symmetry. The south west wall has been completely destroyed, together with parts of west and south walls. Interior of courtyard has fine classical doorway of 1570s to foot of stairs; round arch with fluted pilasters to Doric entablature, spandrels and plinths decorated with lions' heads. Main feature of interior is first floor hall over entrance with screens passage and services to south east end, vaulted undercrofts and entrance passage below, other apartments including the lord's chambers were in 3-storey ranges to west and south of the hall. Castle partly destroyed during Civil War sieges of 1643 and 1644, replaced by James Paine's Wardour Castle (q.v.) in 1776 when bailey (q.v.) laid out as pleasure gardens. Scheduled ancient monument, Wiltshire No 243. (DOE Guide - Old Wardour Castle, 1968; M. Girouard, Robert Smythson and the Elizabethan Country House, 1983)

This entry was subject to a Minor Spatial Amendment on 19th February 2016.

Listing NGR: ST9387126334