Alton Castle
I look forward with delight to get into such a haven
The rocky precipice at the north end of the village is the perfect location for a fortress; therefore, it is no surprise that there has been a castle on this site since the 12th century. The castles first incarnation, which now lies in ruin to the south, was built by the 16th Earl’s ancestor Bertram de Verdun. When viewed from the valley below the castle takes on a fairy-tale quality which no doubt helped inspire the name 'Little Switzerland' that the surrounding area was affectionately known.
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The castle is accessed by a bridge, which crosses a ravine separating it from St John’s Church and the other buildings in the hospital complex. The castle is currently owned by the Kenelm Youth Trust and is therefore only open to the public on selected days and during certain events. The Archdiocese of Birmingham founded the trust in 2011 to offer a residential retreat for youth, parish outreach, and pilgrimages.
When work began on the castle in 1840, substantial remains of the medieval castle were still in situ. Pugin not only stabilised the ruins but also incorporated them into his designs. During the excavation of the site, the original castle's crypt and chapel were also rediscovered and, at the request of the 16th Earl, the new castle's chapel was built directly atop them. The original medieval chapel is still used for private worship today and features contemporary stained glass that beautifully depicts in exquisite detail life and worship at the castle and St John's.
The castle follows an L-shaped layout, with two wings emanating from the chapel at the corner, one to the south and one to the west. The south is the grander of the two wings with details such as carved stone chimney pieces and oriel windows. One room in the south wing has aptly been named the Pugin Room, where there has been some attempt to introduce some Pugin-inspired decoration. In comparison, the west wing is much plainer, with none of the design features of the south and with only multiple rows of identical windows breaking up its otherwise plain façade.
For Pugin's new chapel, he created the distinctive snakeskin roof with tiles manufactured by Minton. It is the only roof of its kind ever designed by Pugin, making it a truly unique feature of the castle.
Much to Pugin’s horror, the 16th Earl originally envisaged that the castle would be a residence for aged priests. For Pugin, this went against his principle of a building reflecting its function, and so he wrote to the Earl, ‘ I would sooner jump off the rocks than build a castellated residence for priests’.
The main entrance to the castle is located in the corner where the two wings meet and takes you through to the narthex and chapel beyond. A three-sided gallery on the first floor provides a view into the narthex below, all of which is lit by a four-sided pyramid-capped roof lantern. Here, you can also see one of the two Talbot family hatchments owned by the castle, which features two Talbot hounds and the family motto ‘Prest d’ Accomplir’.
The chapel flows directly from the narthex and features a high stone-vaulted roof, which accentuates the narrow tall space. Angel corbels sit at the base of slender columns, each holding either a shield or a banner bearing Latin inscriptions such as 'Laus Deo', Praise be to God, and 'Sanctus', Holy.
The stained glass of the chapel dates from much later in 1948 and tells the story and history of the castle and hospital. This includes a roundel depicting Pugin and the 16th Earl looking over plans of the castle as nearby workmen work on the site.
It appears that the intended purpose of the castle was never truly realised or even agreed, although many suggestions were made from it being a residence for the 16th Earl's nephew and heir or a dower-house for the Countess should the earl predecease her. Whatever the intended purpose of the castle, it was sadly never fulfilled and much remained unfinished when the young 17th Earl died in 1856, including the final pyramid roof, which is still absent from one of its three towers.
Please note that whilst there is public access to St John’s Church and churchyard, the Castle and immediate grounds are only open to the public on selected days and during certain events. If you would like to visit the castle, please visit the Kenelm Youth Trust for further details of their events and open days: www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk
