Rose Castle

Rose Castle is a substantial castle and residence, formerly the seat of the Bishop of Carlisle. The site incorporates an earlier castle, with the main structure likely dating from the late 13th century, evidenced by licences to crenellate in 1336 and 1355. Subsequent phases of construction include Strickland Tower, built circa 1400-1419; a tower for Bishop Bell in 1488; a tower for Bishop Kite in 1522-4; and repairs undertaken between 1653 and 1655 following damage during the Civil War, carried out by William Heveningham as a private house. Alterations between 1673 and 1675 by William Thackery for Bishop Rainbow and further changes by Thomas Machell followed, alongside alterations for Bishop Lyttelton between 1762 and 1769. Significant alterations and additions occurred between 1828 and 1831 for Bishop Percy, designed by Thomas Rickman, with later alterations dating from 1955. A chapel was constructed in 1489 for Bishop Bell, modified in 1660-63 for Bishop Sterne, and subsequently altered between 1673 and 1675 by William Thackery and by Thomas Rickman as part of the 1828-31 works.

The castle is constructed primarily of large blocks of red sandstone, featuring chamfered plinths, string courses, and battlemented parapets, with slate and lead roofing. Tall 19th-century candlestick chimney stacks are also present. The layout is characterized by four 3-storey towers, a hall, and a chapel arranged in an L-shape, originally forming two sides of a quadrangular castle.

The entrance facade features a three-storey entrance tower with a pointed entrance and two-light Gothic windows. Adjacent lower bays were added by Rickman. Remnants of a 14th-century inner curtain wall now create the rear wall of the chapel. Bell's Tower is located to the left, and Strickland's Tower to the extreme left, connected by a lowered inner curtain wall. The garden facade, also in an L-shape, incorporates the chapel with two-light windows, a three-light east window, and a projecting circular bellcote supported by a broad buttress. Strickland's Tower has external stone steps leading to the first-floor entrance, with a circular stair turret projecting above the parapet. The hall is characterised by stone mullioned Gothic windows, and an end wall was altered in 1955 with two-light mullioned windows matching the building’s style. The rear facade incorporates Kite’s Tower, with a blocked ground floor entrance and two-light stone-mullioned windows, and extensions by Rickman.