The Landmark Trust | Astley Castle News

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Visit the Restoring Astley Castle blog, maintained by our contractors Anelays, to see regular updates of the works.

Latest news

There is only one week left to see the free exhibition “Saving Astley Castle” which is currently on at the Parsonage Heritage Centre, in Bedworth, Warwickshire. The exhibition includes information on the project’s progress, archaeological finds from the site, and historic articles and photographs detailing Astley Castle’s long and chequered past, and runs until Saturday 3 September.

This Open Day will give you an opportunity to learn about the historic parkland that surrounds Astley Castle, the geology of the castle, and to test our new family friendly interpretation trail. We would like your feedback on the trails and to share your memories of the castle. See the recently opened-up views of the castle, and the restoration's ongoing progress from the safety of the surrounding parkland. Unfortunately due to the works, there will be no access to the moated site during this open day.

There will also be a display of artwork by local artists and schools, and information on the continuing restoration. Astley church will also be open and tea and cake will be served in the village Reading Room (with proceeds to the church). All are welcome to attend and there is no need to book and there will be the chance to meet and talk to some of our staff. Parking will be sign posted from Astley village.

The winner of the competition to design a new knot garden for Astley Garden is Kate Heppell from Chorleywood, Herts. She will now work closely with us to see her design realised.

The judges unanimously chose Kate's design from over 100 entries as it "stood out as a contemporary design yet one that is highly symbolic of both the past and the future. The views both towards and away from the castle have been carefully considered. It offers a range of both practical and interesting spaces and a variety of textures and scents. Kate has also offered an additional solution to meet the needs of wheelchair users”.

Congratulations to Kate and all the winners and highly commended entries in each category, all of which can be viewed on our Get involved at Astley Castle page.

Higham on the Hill Primary School; Newlands Primary School, Barwell; Redmoor High School and Westfield Juniors, Hinckley have been working with local artist Garry Bedford to produce four panels reflecting the history of Astley Castle from the Saxon settlement to 1554.

Astley Art Club have been acting as artists-in-residence while restoration work is underway. The artists have had privileged access to the site and have been recording the progress.

The exhibition is open during normal library hours and there is a special open evening on Monday 23 August from 5.30pm to 7.30pm to which everyone is welcome to attend. Initiatives such as these art projects are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable local people to get more closely involved in the project and learn more about an important part of their local heritage.

To coincide with the Astley village summer fayre, we will be opening the gates to Astley Castle this Saturday. We will have a stand with information outlining the fascinating history and our exciting plans.

The castle structure is now made safe and the choking vegetation cleared back, giving the best view of the historic remains for many years.

The Landmark Trust has announced that its fundraising appeal to save Astley Castle has raised £2.5 million. This means that the building preservation charity will be able to fully realise its ambitious plans for the restoration of the ancient castle and that the site's future is now secure.

A recent major donation from an anonymous donor as well as grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage combined with donations from many individuals has enabled the appeal target to be reached.

The appeal was launched in 2008 and while the funds were being raised emergency repairs and consolidation work to the surviving fabric of the castle were carried out. This phase of the project is now almost complete and the design team, led by architects Witherford Watson Mann, are finalising the detailed scheme for the insertion of new dramatic, modern accommodation within the repaired castle structure.

Peter Pearce, Director of the Landmark Trust said, "For over 20 years Landmark has been fighting to rescue this extraordinary castle, a millennium old and owned by three queens of England , from a state of desperate ruin and imminent total loss to the nation. It is a signal moment that, thanks to the support of thousands of people for our appeal, we have at last secured the funds to achieve this objective, giving everyone the opportunity to stay in and visit this most atmospheric of places once work is complete."

Although the funds now raised will pay for the restoration of the castle, further donations are still being sought to allow additional work to be done to the wider setting of Astley Castle, including repairs to the curtain walls and moat, the 18th century Gothick stable block and care of the historic parkland surrounding the moated site, much of which is a Scheduled Monument.

It is planned that the project will be completed in early 2012. The building will then be available to rent as holiday accommodation for eight people with the income providing for the property's care and maintenance. There will also be regular open days, walks and education projects centred on the site.

Astley Castle in Warwickshire is nearly safe following the news (4 July 2009) that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has confirmed a grant of £1.47 million.

Peter Pearce, Director of the Landmark Trust said, ?For the past 30 years the castle has gradually deteriorated to the sad state we see it in today. This marvellous news from the Heritage Lottery Fund brings us closer to our vision of giving the building a future and allowing many thousands of people each year to experience it. This site has witnessed events over the past 1,000 years. We must find a way to save it and will work closely with the HLF to make this a reality.?

English Heritage has confirmed a grant of £300,000 towards emergency stabilisation work.