Bollitree Castle is an historic site on the edge of the village of Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England. The site consists of Bollitree Castle farmhouse, two barns, a dovecote, a gate, and a series of mock castellated curtain walls from which the site takes its name. Bollitree Castle Farmhouse is a Grade II* listed building, one of the barns, which contains genuine medieval fragments, is listed at the highest grade, Grade I, while the other structures have their own Grade II listings.

Bollitree Castle
A section of the mock castle walls which give Bollitree its name
TypeCountry house
LocationWeston under Penyard, Herefordshire
Coordinates51°54′49″N 2°31′46″W / 51.9136°N 2.5295°W / 51.9136; -2.5295
Built18th century with earlier origins
Architectural style(s)Mock castle
Governing bodyPrivately owned
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameBarn on west side of farmyard and curtain wall enclosing yard at Bollitree Castle
Designated18 May 1953
Reference no.1296781
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameBollitree Castle Farmhouse
Designated18 May 1953
Reference no.1099638
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameBuilding extending to west at south-west corner of farmyard at Bollitree Castle
Designated17 March 1987
Reference no.1099639
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameBarn on south side of farmyard at Bollitree Castle Farmhouse with arcaded farm building adjoining to south
Designated18 May 1953
Reference no.1167693
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameDovecote 50 metres south of Bollitree Castle Farmhouse
Designated17 March 1987
Reference no.1099640
Bollitree Castle is located in Herefordshire
Bollitree Castle
Location of Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire

History

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There is architecture evidence of habitation at Bollitree Castle from medieval times.[1] In the 15th century, the estate was owned by the Merryk family,[a] of whom the most notable member was Richard Amerike (c. 1440–1503), a Bristol-based merchant whose name has been suggested as the origin of America although this is disputed.[2] The castle farmhouse dates from c.1700.[3] Later in the 18th century, the major transformation of the farmhouse and the wider site was undertaken. Local tradition suggests this was carried out by a Thomas Merrick, in pursuit of a Spanish woman whom he wanted to marry and who had indicated that she wished to live in a castle, but there is little documentary evidence for this.[4][5] Historic England records the sham castle fortifications, but posits no suggestion as to their builder's motivations.[6]

Bollitree is owned by Richard Hammond, the television presenter, who bought the castle in 2012.[b][11][12] In 2023, redevelopment plans submitted by Hammond were turned down by Herefordshire County Council following objections from the Georgian Group.[13]

Architecture and description

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The main barn at Bollitree, with the bulk of the castellated curtain walls, contains some genuine medieval fragments, and is listed at Grade I.[1] The farmhouse, which forms the main residence on the site, is listed at Grade II*.[3] Another ancillary agricultural building,[14] a further barn,[15] a dovecote,[16] and a gate in a garden wall are listed at Grade II.[17]

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Notes

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  1. ^ There are many alternative spellings, including ap Meryk and Merrick
  2. ^ Some sources mistakenly suggest that a previous owner of Bollitree Castle was the singer, Marc Bolan.[7] Bolan in fact owned the Old Rectory,[8][9] which stands to the south of Bollitree, on Rectory Lane.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b Historic England. "Barn on west side of farmyard and curtain wall enclosing yard at Bollitree Castle (Grade I) (1296781)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  2. ^ MacDonald, Peter (17 February 2011). "BBC History in Depth; The Naming of America; Richard Amerike". BBC. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Historic England. "Bollitree Castle Farmhouse (Grade II*) (1099638)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Bollitree Castle". Visit Ross-on-Wye. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Bollitree Castle – History". Herefordshire Past. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Bollitree Castle, Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire". Historic England. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Bollitree Castle". Wikipedia. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Marc Bolan's old home on market". Hereford Times. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  9. ^ Hughes, Janet (2 October 2021). "The real story of Marc Bolan's Herefordshire home". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  10. ^ Historic England. "Old Rectory - Weston under Penyard (Grade II) (1099641)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  11. ^ Thomas, James (12 December 2021). "Richard Hammond filmed walking around sprawling grounds at Herefordshire castle". Hereford Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  12. ^ McEwan, Gavin; Khan, Shehnaz (20 May 2023). "Richard Hammond's plan to alter castle home falls through". Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  13. ^ McEwan, Gavin (21 May 2023). "What officials thought of Richard Hammond's plans for his Herefordshire castle". Hereford Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  14. ^ Historic England. "Building extending to west at south-west corner of farmyard at Bollitree Castle (Grade II) (1099639)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  15. ^ Historic England. "Barn on south side of farmyard at Bollitree Castle Farmhouse with arcaded farm building adjoining to south (Grade II) (1167693)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  16. ^ Historic England. "Dovecote 50 metres south of Bollitree Castle Farmhouse (Grade II) (1099640)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  17. ^ Historic England. "Gateway in garden wall on north side of road 75 metres north-east of Bollitree Castle Farmhouse (Grade II) (1167716)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2024.

Sources

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