Maxstoke Castle
The Fetherston-Dilke family welcomes The Artisan Show to their home for the very first time
Warwickshire's Hidden Castle
The Castle is formed of a perfect square – 60 yards by 60 yards with four towers (Kitchen, Dairy, Lady, Deadman’s) and a central gatehouse, all surrounded by a moat of flowing water.Over the centuries, the Castle has undergone modifications, reflecting the personal tastes of the incumbent of the time yet the original medieval curtain walls remain. Maxstoke is unusual in that it has survived largely intact. It has remained a home, for which purpose it was built more than six and a half centuries ago. Despite political turmoil, fire and being garrisoned during the Civil war, its longevity is due to the character and efforts of those who have lived at the property over time.
Our History
The building of Maxstoke Castle was commissioned by Sir William de Clinton, the 1st Earl of Huntingdon in the early part of the fourteenth century. Sir William held high office and earned favour with King Edward III prior to, and during, the 100 Year’s War.
Humphrey, Earl of Stafford and 1st Duke of Buckingham and his family then resided at the Castle from 1438 to 1521.
Up until the Civil War, corbels on the north and south wall supported wooden structures for the garrison stationed at the Castle. Horses and livestock were housed underneath the floorboards, which is why the fireplace, windows and privies are seen half way up the wall.
In 1762 a serious fire, which broke out in the Kitchen tower, destroyed about a third of the west range. Thankfully the thick southern wall of the original Great Hall acted as a firebreak. The Georgian extension on the west wall was added following the fire.
The Castle was also sublet as an auxiliary hospital in the First World War and for remote storage of aircraft engines during the Second World War. The Ministry of Aircraft were located nearby in Castle Bromwich where Spitfires were made. Grooves can still be seen to this day in the concrete of the Great Banqueting Hall, where the heavy engines made their mark in history.
​The Dilke (later Fetherston-Dilke) family bought Maxstoke in 1599 and have, bar periods in the 20th century, been in continuous occupancy for over 400 years. Maxstoke Castle has remained a home, for which purpose it was built more than six and a half centuries ago. Its longevity is due to the character and efforts of those who have lived at the Castle over time.
gallery
The Castle is formed of a perfect square – 60 yards by 60 yards with four towers (Kitchen, Dairy, Lady, Deadman’s) and a central gatehouse, all surrounded by a moat of flowing water.
Over the centuries, the Castle has undergone modifications, reflecting the personal tastes of the incumbent of the time. The original medieval curtain walls remain; the structure on the North Wall was enlarged and completed by the Dilke family.
Up until the Civil War, corbels on the north and south wall supported wooden structures for the garrison stationed at the Castle. Horses and livestock were housed underneath the floorboards, which is why the fireplace, windows and privies are seen half way up the wall.
In 1762 a serious fire, which broke out in the Kitchen tower, destroyed about a third of the west range. Thankfully the thick southern wall of the original Great Hall acted as a firebreak. The Georgian extension on the west wall was added following the fire.