Bollitree Castle
Country house in Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
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Bollitree Castle is a historic site on the edge of the village of Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England. The site consists of Bollitree Castle farmhouse, two barns, a dovecote, a gate, and a series of mock castellated curtain walls from which the site takes its name. Bollitree Castle Farmhouse is a Grade II* listed building, one of the barns, which contains genuine medieval fragments, is listed at the highest grade, Grade I, while the other structures have their own Grade II listings.
| Bollitree Castle | |
|---|---|
A section of the mock castle walls which give Bollitree its name | |
| Type | Country house |
| Location | Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire |
| Coordinates | 51.9136°N 2.5295°W |
| Built | 18th century with earlier origins |
| Architectural style | Mock castle |
| Governing body | Privately owned |
| Owner | Richard Hammond |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Barn on west side of farmyard and curtain wall enclosing yard at Bollitree Castle |
| Designated | 18 May 1953 |
| Reference no. | 1296781 |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Bollitree Castle Farmhouse |
| Designated | 18 May 1953 |
| Reference no. | 1099638 |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Building extending to west at south-west corner of farmyard at Bollitree Castle |
| Designated | 17 March 1987 |
| Reference no. | 1099639 |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Barn on south side of farmyard at Bollitree Castle Farmhouse with arcaded farm building adjoining to south |
| Designated | 18 May 1953 |
| Reference no. | 1167693 |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Dovecote 50 metres south of Bollitree Castle Farmhouse |
| Designated | 17 March 1987 |
| Reference no. | 1099640 |
  Location of Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire | |
History
There is architectural evidence of habitation at Bollitree Castle from medieval times.[1] In the 15th century, the estate was owned by the Merryk family,[a] of whom the most notable member was Richard Amerike (c. 1440–1503), a Bristol-based merchant whose name has been suggested as the origin of America although this is disputed.[2] The castle farmhouse dates from c.1700.[3] Later in the 18th century, the major transformation of the farmhouse and the wider site was undertaken. Local tradition suggests this was carried out by a Thomas Merrick, in pursuit of a Spanish woman whom he wanted to marry and who had indicated that she wished to live in a castle, but there is little documentary evidence for this.[4][5] Historic England records the sham castle fortifications, but posits no suggestion as to their builder's motivations.[6]
Bollitree is owned by Richard Hammond, the television presenter, who bought the castle in 2012.[b][11][12] In 2023, redevelopment plans submitted by Hammond were turned down by Herefordshire County Council following objections from the Georgian Group.[13]
Architecture and description
The main barn at Bollitree, with the bulk of the castellated curtain walls, contains some genuine medieval fragments, and is listed at Grade I.[1] The farmhouse, which forms the main residence on the site, is listed at Grade II*.[3] Another ancillary agricultural building,[14] a further barn,[15] a dovecote,[16] and a gate in a garden wall are listed at Grade II.[17]
Gallery
Mock castellated curtain walls and a fake moat
Corner tower
Curtain wall
