Eastnor Castle was built by 1st Earl Somers in 1812, and has remained as a family home to his direct descendants, the Hervey-Bathurst family. The Castle is a magnificent example of a traditional Welsh border fortress, with its mighty turrets and towers and imposing gate house. The Castle is surrounded by a private estate of over 5,000 acres, affording guests all the privacy and tranquillity they could wish for.
The Castle has recently been restored to all its original splendour with luxurious interiors and lavish furnishings helping to create a truly magnificent home. Whilst the Castle remains true to its origins with traditional décor and historic features, there are all of the facilities and conveniences you would expect in these modern times, carefully concealed to offer an authentic experience of one of England’s greatest castles and most prestigious venues.
The grand entrance hall with its imposing suits of armour leads into the majestic Great Hall, a breathtaking room standing at sixty feet high and complete with beautiful works of art and suits of armour. The roaring log fires, sumptuous sofas and soft lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment you step inside, allowing you to relax and enjoy this spectacular home.
From here, doors open into the Red Hall, Octagon Room and Staircase Hall, creating a lovely flow to the property and making the Great Hall the true heart of the home. The State Rooms at Eastnor Castle can be easily adapted to suit many different uses, from drinks receptions, opulent banquets, presentations, product launches, meetings, seminars or simply a space to relax and enjoy the company of friends.
The opulent Drawing Room is full of history and grandeur, a spectacular room designed by Pugin, who had remodelled the House of Lords two years earlier. The focal point of this elegant and dramatic room is the stunning fireplace, commissioned to celebrate the ancient lineage of the family and now fully restored to its former splendour. The chairs, table, desk and bookcase were all designed by Pugin, with the Somers “S” and coronet inlaid in the table and bookcase doors. The fabulous chandelier, elegant furnishings and rich tapestries add to the luxurious yet homely feel to this room. The vast windows afford beautiful views across the estate and lake, with the formal terrace just below.
Doors lead through to the Octagon Room, a stunning room featuring grand marble columns, two original gothic fire places and a beautiful crystal chandelier. The huge French windows open onto the terraces and overlook the lake, and make this room ideal for pre-dinner drinks or business meetings in truly beautiful surroundings.
The lavish State Dining Room is a stunning backdrop to intimate candle-lit dinner parties or large celebratory meals, seating up to 22 at the main table or up to 80 on round tables. The beautiful wood panelled walls, original art work and magnificent fire place create a relaxed atmosphere whilst the fabulous chandelier and gold gilded ceiling add a touch of opulence to this beautiful room.
The dining and entertainment options at Eastnor Castle are second to none, providing extremely flexible spaces that can be adapted to suit any gathering. The Octagon Room is perfect for small groups, the State Dining Room can seat from 8 – 80 guests, or the Great Hall can be turned into a spectacular dining room for up to 150 guests. Larger parties can be accommodated in marquee events on the terrace overlooking the lake or in the courtyard in front of the Castle, with a drinks reception within the State rooms followed by dinner and dancing in a beautifully decorated marquee.
The Red Hall houses part of the famous Meyrick Collection of medieval armour, purchased by the 3rd Earl Somers as an homage to the chivalry and romance of ancient knight’s tales. The Long Library houses an impressive collection of some 5,000 books, beautifully decorated in Renaissance style. The 17th century Flemish tapestries and hand painted ceilings reflect the 3rd Earl’s love of classical and medieval themes, with three spectacular chandeliers and beautiful views over the terraces and lake.
The Little Library houses the early 20th century billiard table, and provides a wonderful space to relax into the evening with a glass of fine port or whisky.
There is one bedroom on the ground floor with a beautiful hand carved four poster bed, original art work and an en-suite bathroom.
The vast sweeping staircase leads up from the hall to the first floor minstrel’s gallery overlooking the Great Hall with access to the bedrooms. All of the bedrooms have been individually designed by Sarah Hervey-Bathurst, with exquisite works of art from the family collection, elegant antique furnishings and beautifully equipped bathrooms. You can expect only the highest quality bed linen, soft fluffy towels and bathrobes and luxury toiletries to help make your stay as comfortable as possible. The majority of the bedrooms offer en-suite or private bathrooms, and offer breathtaking views over the lake and estate towards the Malvern Hills. A lift services the first floor for those with limited mobility, and there are several bedrooms that work perfectly as family suites.
The grounds here are no less impressive, nested at the foot of the Malvern Hills in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The beautiful terraces adjacent to the Castle afford wonderful views over the surrounding parkland and across the private lake. Beyond the lake, the Estate stretches as far as the eye can see, with a private deer park, woodlands, meadows and parkland creating an idyllic rural setting. This level of privacy can be hard to find, and makes Eastnor one of the most tranquil settings for those looking to truly get away from it all.
The vast Estate is ideal for a wide variety of activities, from the zip wire running from one of the turrets to more traditional country pursuits, and as such is a fantastic venue for team building and activity days. The hilly terrain lends itself perfectly to motorised sports such as quad biking and pilot buggy racing, and Land Rover have their world-famous test track here.
The beautiful Deer Park is the perfect setting for outdoor events, having previously hosted many large scale concerts, festivals and country fairs for up to 40,000 guests. The beautiful surroundings coupled with excellent motorway access and well maintained facilities make the Deer Park an ideal venue for events with a large number of visitors, and is available entirely separately to the Castle if required.
Eastnor Castle has built an outstanding reputation as one of the most prestigious exclusive use venues available in the UK, with only the highest standards of service and a truly bespoke approach. The Castle is a truly magnificent venue, yet exudes a sense of warmth and homeliness from the moment you arrive. The Castle comes fully staffed so you can relax and enjoy your stay, with superb cuisine from the team of highly trained in house chefs using locally sourced ingredients, and fine wines from the Castle cellar.
The experienced team at Eastnor can assist you in every step of planning your perfect stay, with tried and tested suppliers to ensure you receive the best.
To stay at Eastnor Castle is to experience the very best in traditional English high society living and hospitality, whether you stay for a night, a week or a month. Whether you are looking for a weekend break with friends, a venue to mark a special occasion, a fabulous product launch or a glamorous film location, Eastnor Castle will make your stay an event to be cherished for years to come.