Featherstone Castle
Encyclopedia
Featherstone Castle, a Grade I listed building, is a large Gothic style
country mansion
situated on the bank of the River South Tyne
about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the town of Haltwhistle
in Northumberland
, England
.
In the 11th century the manor house
on this site belonged to the Featherstonehaugh family. It has played an important role in the battles between the English and the Scots. Originally a 13th-century hall house, a square three-storey pele tower
was added in 1330 by Thomas de Featherstonehaugh. A survey from the year 1541 reported the property to be a tower
in good repair, occupied by Thomas Featherstonehaugh.
The earliest recorded history of this area derives from the Roman occupation period; in 122 AD
, the Romans erected Hadrian's Wall
, the course of which lies several kilometres to the north of Featherstone Castle.
) and was remodelled and substantially enlarged.
The house was repurchased from the Earl of Carlisle in 1711 by Matthew Featherstonehaugh (1662–1762). A survey of 1715 disclosed 'an ancient and well-built structure'. The family remained in occupation until Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh
sold the property to James Wallace
about 1789. His son Thomas Wallace
carried out further alterations between 1812 and 1830. Lord Wallace bequeathed the estate to his nephew Colonel James Hope
(1807–1854), (son of the Earl of Hopetoun
), who changed his name to Hope-Wallace.
The various alterations to the structure have resulted in a large castellated and complex country house
, rectangular in form with a central courtyard and towers at each angle.
The property was sold in 1950 and became a school. In 1961 it was converted to a residential conference and activity centre for young people and students.
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
country mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
situated on the bank of the River South Tyne
River Tyne
The River Tyne is a river in North East England in Great Britain. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers: the North Tyne and the South Tyne. These two rivers converge at Warden Rock near Hexham in Northumberland at a place dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'.The North Tyne rises on the...
about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the town of Haltwhistle
Haltwhistle
Haltwhistle is a small town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, situated east of Brampton, near Hadrian's Wall, and the villages of Plenmeller, Rowfoot and Melkridge...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In the 11th century the manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
on this site belonged to the Featherstonehaugh family. It has played an important role in the battles between the English and the Scots. Originally a 13th-century hall house, a square three-storey pele tower
Peel tower
Peel towers are small fortified keeps or tower houses, built along the English and Scottish borders in the Scottish Marches and North of England, intended as watch towers where signal fires could be lit by the garrison to warn of approaching danger...
was added in 1330 by Thomas de Featherstonehaugh. A survey from the year 1541 reported the property to be a tower
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
in good repair, occupied by Thomas Featherstonehaugh.
The earliest recorded history of this area derives from the Roman occupation period; in 122 AD
Anno Domini
and Before Christ are designations used to label or number years used with the Julian and Gregorian calendars....
, the Romans erected Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in Roman Britain. Begun in AD 122, during the rule of emperor Hadrian, it was the first of two fortifications built across Great Britain, the second being the Antonine Wall, lesser known of the two because its physical remains are less evident today.The...
, the course of which lies several kilometres to the north of Featherstone Castle.
Post medieval
In the 17th century the property was acquired by Sir William Howard (father of the 1st Earl of CarlisleEarl of Carlisle
Earl of Carlisle is a title that has been created three times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1322 when the soldier Andrew Harclay, 1st Baron Harclay was made Earl of Carlisle. He had already been summoned to Parliament as Lord Harclay in 1321...
) and was remodelled and substantially enlarged.
The house was repurchased from the Earl of Carlisle in 1711 by Matthew Featherstonehaugh (1662–1762). A survey of 1715 disclosed 'an ancient and well-built structure'. The family remained in occupation until Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh
Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh, 1st Baronet
Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh, 1st Baronet FRS pronounced "fan-shaw" was an English politician and landowner.He was the son of Matthew Fetherstonhaugh of Featherstone Castle, Northumberland. In 1746 he inherited the estates of a kinsman Sir Henry Fetherston but not Sir Henry's baronetcy which became...
sold the property to James Wallace
James Wallace (politician)
James Wallace was an English barrister, Member of Parliament, Solicitor General and Attorney General.-Life:The son of Thomas Wallace, of Asholme, Northumberland, attorney-at-law, Wallace was called to the Bar in 1757. In 1770, he was elected as one of the Members of Parliament for Horsham in Sussex...
about 1789. His son Thomas Wallace
Thomas Wallace, 1st Baron Wallace
Thomas Wallace, 1st Baron Wallace PC was an English politician.-Background:Wallace was the son of James Wallace , a barrister who served as Solicitor General for England and Wales and as Attorney General, by Elizabeth, only daughter and sole heiress of Thomas Simpson, Esquire, of Carleton Hall,...
carried out further alterations between 1812 and 1830. Lord Wallace bequeathed the estate to his nephew Colonel James Hope
James Hope (1807–1854)
Hon. James Hope , later known as James Hope-Wallace, was a Scottish soldier and Conservative Party politician....
(1807–1854), (son of the Earl of Hopetoun
Marquess of Linlithgow
Marquess of Linlithgow, in the County of Linlithgow or West Lothian, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1902 for John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun....
), who changed his name to Hope-Wallace.
The various alterations to the structure have resulted in a large castellated and complex country house
English country house
The English country house is a large house or mansion in the English countryside. Such houses were often owned by individuals who also owned a London house. This allowed to them to spend time in the country and in the city—hence, for these people, the term distinguished between town and country...
, rectangular in form with a central courtyard and towers at each angle.
The property was sold in 1950 and became a school. In 1961 it was converted to a residential conference and activity centre for young people and students.