1. The History
The former main entrance and lodge to Fillingham Castle is situated just 9 miles north of Lincoln on the A15 (Ermine Street). Also known as Ermine lodge, it was built in 1775 of limestone ashlar in battlement gothic style, possibly designed by John Carr. The castle itself sits to the west and was built earlier in 1770 for Sir Cecil Wray. Using stone quarried from the park, he commissioned its construction after he had inherited the estate from his father, Sir John Wray, who died in 1752 when Cecil was just 18 years old. Sir Cecil died in 1805 and was buried at Fillingham while his wife, Dame Esther Wray continued to reside in the castle until her death in 1825, aged 89 years. Also known as Summer Castle, the house is now a private residence.
Archive picture of the castle in October 1901:
In terms of the gatehouse, the last people to live here apparently were Mr and Mrs Grant when they were in the late fifties. Living was basic. The living room and kitchen were to the right of the gate and the bedroom on the other side. There was no electricity or running water, but they did have a well and pump in the garden.
The Grade II listed structure (as of 16th December 1964) is in a pretty poor way now which is a real shame. Historic England lists it as 'very bad' in terms of its condition which is a pretty accurate assessment. The turret on the righthand side of the lodge has missing stonework at the top and is in danger of collapse and the screen wall at the far right is leaning inwards. The main lodge rooms in the turrets flanking the entrance arch are roofless with foliage and trees growing inside.
2. The Explore
Probably considered this not worthy of a report back in the day. With lockdown and time on my hands, thought I’d put a retrospective report together. It was a nice little mooch. The gatehouse is a bit like an extended ‘lived-in’ folly. At first you think it is just a wall, however when you go round the back you realise there is a bit more to it. It’s certainly very photogenic and well forth twenty or so minutes of your time.
3. The Pictures
The gatehouse sits right next to the old Roman road that the A15 now follows:
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The stonework is rather lovely:
Especially these circular windows:
Round the back is a lot more rural:
Looking west towards the castle:
The south wing of the gatehouse has clearly been used for livestock at some point:
In we go…
First up, the kitchen:
Then the living room adjoining it:
And finally, the other side, which used to be the bedroom:
And popping this bonus windmill in here too:
Corringham Windmill
Now Grade II listed, this 39ft tall late 19th century, three-storey tower mill sits off Harpswell Road. It originally had four sails and ceased working by 1908. The mill was then used as a water tower for many years before it was converted to an owl house in 1993.
My God, it was smelly inside!
The former main entrance and lodge to Fillingham Castle is situated just 9 miles north of Lincoln on the A15 (Ermine Street). Also known as Ermine lodge, it was built in 1775 of limestone ashlar in battlement gothic style, possibly designed by John Carr. The castle itself sits to the west and was built earlier in 1770 for Sir Cecil Wray. Using stone quarried from the park, he commissioned its construction after he had inherited the estate from his father, Sir John Wray, who died in 1752 when Cecil was just 18 years old. Sir Cecil died in 1805 and was buried at Fillingham while his wife, Dame Esther Wray continued to reside in the castle until her death in 1825, aged 89 years. Also known as Summer Castle, the house is now a private residence.
Archive picture of the castle in October 1901:
In terms of the gatehouse, the last people to live here apparently were Mr and Mrs Grant when they were in the late fifties. Living was basic. The living room and kitchen were to the right of the gate and the bedroom on the other side. There was no electricity or running water, but they did have a well and pump in the garden.
The Grade II listed structure (as of 16th December 1964) is in a pretty poor way now which is a real shame. Historic England lists it as 'very bad' in terms of its condition which is a pretty accurate assessment. The turret on the righthand side of the lodge has missing stonework at the top and is in danger of collapse and the screen wall at the far right is leaning inwards. The main lodge rooms in the turrets flanking the entrance arch are roofless with foliage and trees growing inside.
2. The Explore
Probably considered this not worthy of a report back in the day. With lockdown and time on my hands, thought I’d put a retrospective report together. It was a nice little mooch. The gatehouse is a bit like an extended ‘lived-in’ folly. At first you think it is just a wall, however when you go round the back you realise there is a bit more to it. It’s certainly very photogenic and well forth twenty or so minutes of your time.
3. The Pictures
The gatehouse sits right next to the old Roman road that the A15 now follows:
The stonework is rather lovely:
Especially these circular windows:
Round the back is a lot more rural:
Looking west towards the castle:
The south wing of the gatehouse has clearly been used for livestock at some point:
In we go…
First up, the kitchen:
Then the living room adjoining it:
And finally, the other side, which used to be the bedroom:
And popping this bonus windmill in here too:
Corringham Windmill
Now Grade II listed, this 39ft tall late 19th century, three-storey tower mill sits off Harpswell Road. It originally had four sails and ceased working by 1908. The mill was then used as a water tower for many years before it was converted to an owl house in 1993.
My God, it was smelly inside!
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