Norris Castle
Encyclopedia
Norris Castle is located on the Isle of Wight
and can be seen from the Solent
standing on the northeast point of East Cowes
. The castle was designed by James Wyatt
for Lord Henry Seymour. It has a galleted facade with crenellations, but all of this is for show as the castle has no defensive fortifications. The building's original function was entertaining. Despite its size, it has only four bedrooms. The illusion of size is created by the fact that most of the building is occupied by only one room, and a passageway thick.
Wyatt also designed the farmyard buildings that are further inland. They have the same design.
King George IV
visited the castle in 1819, and the future Queen Victoria
with her mother the Duchess of Kent in 1831. Queen Victoria later purchased Osborne House
, which is the next estate to the east.
In the second half of the twentieth century the castle was opened to the public; it is now closed.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
and can be seen from the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
standing on the northeast point of East Cowes
East Cowes
East Cowes is a town and civil parish to the north of the Isle of Wight, on the east bank of the River Medina next to its neighbour on the west bank, Cowes....
. The castle was designed by James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Wyatt RA , was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the neoclassical style, who far outdid Adam in his work in the neo-Gothic style.-Early classical career:...
for Lord Henry Seymour. It has a galleted facade with crenellations, but all of this is for show as the castle has no defensive fortifications. The building's original function was entertaining. Despite its size, it has only four bedrooms. The illusion of size is created by the fact that most of the building is occupied by only one room, and a passageway thick.
Wyatt also designed the farmyard buildings that are further inland. They have the same design.
King George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
visited the castle in 1819, and the future Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
with her mother the Duchess of Kent in 1831. Queen Victoria later purchased Osborne House
Osborne House
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat....
, which is the next estate to the east.
In the second half of the twentieth century the castle was opened to the public; it is now closed.
External links
- Information and photos of the castle
- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-418622-norris-castle-east-cowes