THE dramatic revival architecture of Eastnor Castle features in our Camera Club picture of the day, taken by Catherine Joll.
But far from being the medieval Welsh border castle that the design imitates, the estate, situated just two miles from Ledbury near the village of Eastnor, was founded when the Cocks family purchased land in the area in the late 1700s.
Through judicious marriage and inherited wealth, John Cocks, First Earl Somers acquired the financial means to build construction on the castle in 1812.
Leading English architect Robert Smirke, whose designs included the main block and facade of the British Museum, was commissioned to design the building, which was completed in 1824 at a cost of £85,000.
The Grade 1 listed building remains the family residence of Hervey-Bathursts, descendants of the Cocks family and parts of the house and grounds are open to visitors.
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