Location: Cholmondeley, Cheshire Map
Cholmondeley Castle is a magnificent private residence that was erected in 1801- 4 near a town of Cholmondeley, Cheshire by George Cholmondeley, 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley. This beautiful estate is surrounded by a splendid park that measures 7,500 acres (3,035 ha).
The property was the seat of the Cholmondeley family since the 12th century. The present mansion replaced a timber frame house nearby. It was built in the early 19th century for George Cholmondeley, 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley, who largely designed it himself in the form of a crenellated castle. After the death of the Marquess, the house was extended to plans by Robert Smirke as it presents itself today. English Heritage has it as a historic building Grades II.
The first formal garden of the Cholmondeley Castle was designed by George London in the 17th century. After being ravaged in the 18th century, William Emes, who also created the park, rerouted it. In the 20th century it was further expanded by Lavinia, the widow of Hugh Cholmondeley, 6th Marquess of Cholmondeley.
The most important of these is St Nicholas' Chapel, dating back to the 13th century, containing many 17th-century furniture and listed as a Grade I Historic Building. In the main entrance is a wrought-iron gate, which was created in 1722 by Robert Bakewell for the old manor house and was moved here at the beginning of the 19th century.