Eastnor Castle - The Rooms
Here you can explore the Castle - clicking on the images will enlarge them and provide much more detail on the rooms.
THE ENTRANCE HALL The imposing entrance is flanked by portraits of 1st Earl Somers and the Earl of Shrewsbury (later Duke of Shrewsbury).
Lord Shrewsbury was a great friend of John Somers, Lord Chancellor to King William III, from whom the distinction and wealth of the Somers line of the Somers Cocks family was derived.
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THE GREAT HALL This impressive room was designed in the style of a medieval baronial great hall, and was plainly intended to be the heart of the Castle. A clearer impression of this is provided by a watercolour of 1820 - you can look for this in the rooms notes.
The Great Hall is furnished today in the style of a vast Edwardian drawing room, with ottoman, sofas, armchairs and portraits.
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THE RED HALL Ancient tales of chivalry and romance appealed strongly to the Victorians as they seemed to offer a nostalgic return to fixed codes and values, in contrast to the changing times of the latter half of the 19th century. This may be one reason why the 3rd Earl, who was very susceptible to what he called armouritis, bought half of the famous Meyrick Collection of medieval armour from Goodrich Court in the 1870's. Much of the armour on display was originally bought to decorate the Great Hall in medieval style, but was moved here when the Great Hall was rearranged in 1989. (Click on photo for more detail)
THE STATE DINING ROOM Smirke created Gothic arches at each end of this room and over the doors. These were removed by Lady Somers in 1933, partly to create a better space for pictures. When the room was redecorated in 1990, more pictures and mirrors from elsewhere in the Castle were hung here, creating the pleasing effect which visitors can see today. Among them is a portrait of Lord Chancellor Somers - look for it in the Room Notes.
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THE GOTHIC DRAWING ROOMThe Gothic Drawing Room survives largely intact from the time when it was redecorated by John Crace to the designs of Pugin for the 2nd Earl in 1849, and is a testament to the skill of Pugin and his team of master craftsmen. The work caused such a stir in the locality that it was believed that Queen Victoria was planning to visit! The massive chimney piece and family tree provide the focus, while the chairs, table, desk and bookcase were all designed by Pugin, with the Somers' "S" and coronet inlaid in the table and in the bookcase doors. The room is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. (Click photo for more detail)