The Fairy Tale Lulworth Castle was originally built in 1608 by Thomas Howard as a hunting lodge to entertain King and Court. He owned it until 1641 when it was purchased by Humphrey Weld, the direct ancestor of the present owner.
The exterior changed little over the years until it was gutted by a disastrous fire in 1929, leaving it derelict for the next fifty years.
The Disastrous Fire
On 29th August 1929 disaster struck Lulworth Castle. An uncontrollable fire gutted the 17th century hunting lodge, built as a mock castle to entertain kings. It started on the top floor and spread to the roof.
Once the fire had really taken hold, the towers would have acted like giant chimneys creating an enormous updraught.
The design of the castle made fighting the fire difficult, its height making it hard to get water to the top.
Furniture and paintings were strewn around the castle grounds as volunteers struggled to salvage what they could from the flames.
Mr Weld could only watch helplessly. The home of his family for 250 years was destroyed in one day.
What Caused the Fire?
The cause of the fire was never determined. Herbert Weld believed that it was probably due to a fused wire in the storeroom where it broke out.
Electricity was installed in the castle in the 1920s shortly before the fire, and it is believed to have been its cause.
What Next for the Castle?
Sir Joseph Weld inherited the estate in 1935. Exposed to the elements after the fire, the castle decayed rapidly. Thankfully discussions between the Weld Estate and English Heritage led to the start of a programme of restoration.
Following extensive works, started in 1976 by the Department for the Environment and completed in 1998 by English Heritage, the fairy tale Lulworth Castle once again had a roof and, although not lived in, does play host to a variety of functions and events as well as being a major tourist attraction in Dorset.
The King’s Bed and Main Kitchen
King Charles 11 stayed in this bedroom when he visited the castle in 1665 and after his visit the room became known as the ‘King’s Bedroom’.
During the fire much of the smaller furniture was rescued but the King’s bed was too large to move. Only two bedposts survived but they were lost for many years in Estate outbuildings until they were rediscovered by Sally Weld and are now incorporated into this reconstruction.
Meals for the whole household were prepared in the castle’s main kitchen. Formal dinners for over 50 guests were held in the Great Hall. Tragically the kitchen’s original contents were lost during the fire of 1929.
Did you know…
The castle has had 17 owners, 14 of these owners were from the Weld family.
The castle is 80 feet or 24.5 metres in height.
It is 116 feet or 35.5 metres wide.
There were 4 floors in the main part of the castle and 5 floors in the towers.
There are 138 steps in the South East Tower staircase.
There are 4 miles of park wall surrounding the castle.
There were 81 rooms in the castle.
There were 43 fireplaces in the castle.
Views from the Top
The 138 steps to the top are most definitely worth it!
Woodland Walk
Look out for the castle peacocks whilst out walking.
Visitor Information
Address:
East Lulworth
Wareham
BH20 5QS
Tel.no 01929 400352
If you are interested in castles and architecture, you may also be interested in Corfe Castle or Kingston Lacy.
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