Longford Castle is one of the grandest stately homes in Britain and has been the residence of one family for over 300 years.
The history of Longford Estate
Longford Castle was originally built in the late 16th century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I by the Gorges family to an unusual triangular plan. The caste was built with the proceeds of the contents of one of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia’s galleons which sank in the wake of the Spanish Armada.
In the 18th century the 2nd Earl of Radnor, employed the architect James Wyatt to transform it into a hexagonal palace; a project which was abandoned. It was left to the 4th Earl of Radnor and Victorian architect Anthony Salvin to complete Longford.
One family,
300 years of history
Longford Castle, is one of the grandest stately homes in Britain and has been the residence of three families in just over four centuries; the Gorges, the Coleraines, and for over three hundred years, the Bouveries, who continue to live there today.
Laurens Des Bouverie, a Huguenot, came to England from Flanders in 1568 fleeing religious persecution, settled in Kent, was a successful silk merchant, and his descendants acquired land and property which comprises the estates today. The family was ennobled in 1747 with Sir Jacob Des Bouverie becoming the First Viscount Folkestone while his son, William, was created an Earl in 1765. Longford has continued to be home to the Earls of Radnor ever since.
Explore the Longford Estate
