Allington Castle is a stunning and versatile location for film and television shoots, situated in the heart of Kent, near London and the South East of England. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Allington Castle is a private residence. The area had always been at risk of flooding, serious floods having occurred in the 20th century in 1927, the 1960s and 1979; the latter prompted the instigation of an extensive flood protection scheme in 1982, when the present day river banks were engineered. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. No sign of any castle could be seen (though we were evidently close up to the Medway) till we turned a corner, and there it was near at hand. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Country House: Yes The House from a 1923 postcard . You can take a train from Stratford to Allington Castle via Strood and Maidstone Barracks in around 1h 40m. Allington Castle (Maidstone) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Please also note that we are legally obligated to inform visitors that we are registered with the, Allington Castle A Captivating Film Location, Allington Castle has been featured in numerous films and television productions, making it a sought-after location for filmmakers. The first will astound you more than Siofra River imo, the second will lead to the starting area where you fought the Grafted Scion and died. ALLINGTON CASTLE (Maidstone) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go Today, Allington Castle is a beautifully restored example of a medieval dwelling with stunning gardens, towers, and a breathtaking courtyard. IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE CONTACTING US FOR SMALL PRIVATE TOURS: To ensure the safety and security of all staff and visitors, it is necessary for at least one person in the tour group to provide a copy of their basic DBS check, which can be obtained at https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. [8] The Bests were Catholics and used a room in the east tower as their private chapel. Allington castle tour with the kentish lady. The Long Gallery was rebuilt and the Tudor house within the castle walls was linked to it. Each area was planted with areas of mixed deciduous and conifer trees. Please use this box to ask questions and to request a viewing. Unlike many other venues, we include a range of cost-saving things to ensure that your day is as stress-free as possible. Heart Of Kent Hospice The moat surrounding the castle was once flooded and was crossed by a drawbridge, with a portcullis closing the entrance to the castle. It was threatened with demolition in the late-19th century before being rescued by Lord Conway. For enquiries, please see our dedicated, Host Your Dream Wedding at Allington Castle, As an upmarket wedding venue, Allington Castle provides a romantic and luxurious setting for your special day. Date of experience: June 2018. [1][5] Although it was fortified, it was more of a residence than a fortress, as indicated by its extensive and early use of brick, which may have reflected Stephen's interests in a brickyard in Essex. It was replaced by a manor house, which was fortified with royal permission in the 13th century. For enquiries, please see our dedicated film shoot page. The Great Hall was rebuilt by 1927, and the restoration of the north-east wing was completed by 1932. It subsequently became a centre for ecumenical work with the monastic community at Aylesford taking on responsibility for running it. Kerrie Gibbons, our events manager, masterfully orchestrates unforgettable occasions, while Jen takes care of housekeeping and cooking for the castles owners, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction. Our grounds are home to a diverse array of thriving wildlife. [6] It seems to have been neglected subsequently; it is described by documentary sources as being in a very bad condition by 139899. Although once a formally laid out public park occupying about 18 hectares (see history section), the vast majority of this area has been developed, mostly for sporting activities. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. What restaurants are near Allington Castle? PLEASE NOTE: Allington Castle is a Private Residence and is NOT open to the public. It works really well as a combination although its a little pricy. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. You'll then be taken to a map showing results. A lovely beautiful tour of the castle. These features are shown on the 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey plans dated 1901, which also show the presence of a bandstand north of the fountain and a bowling green in the older portion of the park, the latter being still extant. Allington Castle - Maidstone - Parks & Gardens In January 1537 Henry VIII decided to send him as resident ambassador to the Emperor and . Allington Castle Open Garden - Facebook The latter was once occupied by buildings against the south curtain wall and appears to have been the site of the first castle on the site, judging by the remains of foundations discovered during Conway's restoration work. Allington Castle | Castle Wedding Venue in Kent - Amazing Space Weddings [12], Conway decided to purchase the castle's freehold from Lord Romney at a cost of 4,800 and spent the next 30 years restoring it with the assistance of the architects W. D. Caroe and Philip Tilden. Welcome to Allington Castle - A Historic Kent Castle and Upmarket Wedding Venue Kent's Allington Castle is a medieval 12th-century castle nestled in 42 acres of picturesque woodland on the banks of the Medway River, located about three miles northwest of Maidstone. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. It was replaced by a manor house, which was fortified with royal permission in the 13th century. Allington Castle is a one thousand year-old edifice and is oozing with history. A map based searching tool all our locations, Oswald, Arthur {Country Houses of Kent} (London: Country Life, 1933), Smithers, David Waldron {Castles in Kent} (Chatham: John Hallwell Publications, 1980), {The Kent GardKent County Council Planning Department {The Kent Gardens Compendium} (Canterbury: Kent County Council, 1996) 4, Newman, J. We weren't lucky. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The castle before restoration goes back to 1281 when Stephen de Penchester was granted a licence to embattle the manor house at Allington. [7][5], Allington Castle was acquired in 1492 by Sir Henry Wyatt, a prominent supporter of Henry Tudor, who was later to become King Henry VII. Disappointing customer service. In 1554 it was seized by the Crown in the course of dispossessing its owner, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, after the failure of his rebellion against Queen Mary. Nestled in 42 acres, the castle dates back to Medieval times and is surrounded by a moat. Our dedicated team members include Will, our maintenance expert, who works tirelessly to keep the castle running smoothly. Allington Castle Another one is in Raya Lucaria and those are the only 2 currently known. The biggest park in Sofia is named after one of the most beloved Bulgarian rulers, Tsar Boris III - the Unifier. If you are interested in arranging an exclusive tour for a group of up to eight people, please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. The strip of land between the avenue and the Cathedral Road properties is grassed over. As an upmarket wedding venue, Allington Castle provides a romantic and luxurious setting for your special day. For nearly 50 years, the castle was the home of a Carmelite convent. Please enquire. The tour lasts about an hour and a half and you get to see most of the. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 2} (1926) 99-130, Pettigrew, A., {The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Vol. Welcome to Allington Castle A Historic Kent Castle and Upmarket Wedding Venue, Today, Allington Castle is a beautifully restored example of a medieval dwelling with stunning gardens, towers, and a breathtaking courtyard. The park was extended northwards by a further 28 acres (11.3 hectares) into "Sophia Field" around 1879 and this area became a recreation ground with gravel tracks laid down for cycling around the edge. We walked by the river from Maidstone to Aylesford, a town far prettier than Maidstone, and back (about 16kms). Please let us know if you have any further questions or would like to discuss your filming project in more detail. The future of Allington now seems assured. Our dedicated and experienced team will work closely with you to bring your dream wedding to life, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned and executed. These thriving ecosystems reflect our dedication to preserving the castles natural surroundings. 1} (1926) 38-53, Wales, Glamorgan or Glamorganshire (Sir Forgannwg or Morgannwg). Allington Castle is a stone castle in Allington, Kent, just north of Maidstone, in England. Glamorgan Cricket Club transferred their ground from Cardiff Arms Park to the north end of Sophia Gardens recreation ground in 1966. An elaborate lodge was built on the east side of the entrance. There has been some storm damage, mainly affecting conifers. The interiors are fully furnished and in character with its Medieval origins, with Tapestries, antique furniture and Great Hall in whom Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn dinned with Sir Thomas Wyatt around 1530. It is named after Sophia Rawdon-Hastings, the widow of the 2nd Marquess of Bute who oversaw the creation of the park, which was built to compensate for the withdrawal in 1855 of public access to Cooper's Field and Castle Green. It's been suggested that Sir Martin Conway's restoration of Allington Castle (converting it from a derelict medieval castle into a modern country house using his wealthy wife's money) was the model for Dreever Castle in P.G. ALLINGTON CASTLE (Maidstone) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Allington castle tour with the kentish lady. Steeped in history and charm, our medieval castle provides an unforgettable backdrop for elegant civil weddings and civil partnerships, drawing couples from surrounding towns in Kent and beyond. Open in Google Maps . The third is the place you want to go to. Guests joining one of the pre-booked and exclusive Kentish Lady boat toursto arrive at the castle via the River Medway can enjoy a private tour around our vibrant, eco-friendly garden and the magnificent Great Hall. Although much of the original framework of Sophia Gardens has been lost, some original features remain. There is a photograph of the south lodge on the Cardiff Library website where it is stated that it was damaged by a bomb during World War 2. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The Great Hall also features a minstrel gallery, perfect for harpists, string quartets, jazz, blues, or swing ensembles, taking advantage of the amazing acoustics. Start at the intersection of Ivan Vazov Street and 6ti Septemvri Street. Allington Castle was originally built in the 11th century. The castle, likely mostly constructed of timbers, was built on a motte [earthen mound] next to the River Medway about 3 miles (by road) from Maidstone. The Wyatts enlarged the castle. [11], The top of the Long Gallery was destroyed in another fire in the early 19th century and the rest of the castle was nearly demolished a few decades later by Charles Marsham, 5th Earl of Romney. Allington Castle (Maidstone) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Wodehouse's . After the war, Lord Conway set about clearing the exterior of the castle from the ramshackle collection of rural buildings that had accumulated over the centuries just outside the walls. Important Note: Allington Castle is required to inform visitors that we are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to record CCTV footage, both inside and outside the premises, to prevent and detect crime. Let Allington Castle provide the perfect setting for your fairytale wedding, surrounded by eco-friendly gardens and a commitment to sustainable practices. [4] It was inherited by Penchester's daughter and passed via marriage to the Cobham family, who owned it until 1492. As a result of fire damage in the late 16th century, it was abandoned until 1905. more, Call the Midwife Location Tour in Chatham, Private Day Tour to Historic Hever Castle from London, Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Cliffs of Dover Custom Day Trip, Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle & White Cliffs Guided Day Tour from London, Early Access Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and Greenwich from London, Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour to vineyards and castles in Kent, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral, Private Day Tour to Chartwell House from London, Leeds Castle Admission - Ultimate Explorer Tickets, Private Day Tour to Beautiful Leeds Castle, Kent, from London, Full-Day Tudor Tour to Hampton Court Palace and Hever Castle from London, Village Grill @ Village Hotel - Maidstone. Our outstanding garden team, led by Head Gardener Adrian and his skilled team members Jacqui and Alec, diligently maintain our enchanting, sustainable garden and conduct our private tours. Teresa, who makes sure the paperwork gets done and our diaries are synced. [3], The present castle was built between 127999 by Stephen de Pencester, the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who was granted a licence to crenellate the existing manor house by Edward I. Includes a professional Dance or Disco with our professional DJ. Contact - Allington Castle Tilden presumably was responsible for a most interesting and evocative Italian garden on the only level site, as a sort of terrace above the castle. The roof of the pavilion collapsed under the weight of snow in January 1982, fortunately at a time when it was unoccupied. The trip is by boat on the Kentish Lady which only adds to the charm of the visit. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. The range dividing the two courtyards contains the Long Gallery on the upper floor, with offices below. "The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff". We want your special day to be memorable and enjoyable, which is why we take care of the details so you can focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime. Located in a glassed-off area of the barn, guests can sit down and relax without feeling separated from the party. Allington Castle - Kent's Most Exclusive Venue and Film Location Allington Castle. It is not open to the public. Please visit our catering partner Invicta Food Design. North-east of the SWALEC Stadium there is a stone wall which marks the boundary of Sophia Gardens. [15], Allington Castle takes the form of an irregular parallelogram with a curtain wall incorporating six round towers of various sizes. The river walk was very good, though. [9], Most of the Great Hall and the north-east wing were destroyed in a disastrous fire in the second half of the 16th century. As a private residence, IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE CONTACTING US FOR SMALL PRIVATE TOURS: To ensure the safety and security of all staff and visitors, it is necessary for at least one person in the tour group to provide a copy of their basic DBS check, which can be obtained at, .
