Close House, Northumberland

A later house on the site was sold by the Read family in 1626 to Robert Bewicke (1573–1641) a Merchant Adventurer of Newcastle on Tyne, who was Sheriff of that city in 1615 and Mayor 1628 and 1637.

The house was the home of Calverley Bewicke (1755–1815) who was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1782 and Member of Parliament for Winchelsea 1806–1815.

Close House was the venue for the British Masters, one of the leading professional tournaments on the European Tour, in both 2017 and 2020.

He was the eldest son of Sir Robert Bewicke (1728–1771) and inherited the Close Estate when his father died in 1771.

After she and Calverley were married they lived at Close House but made frequent visits to their other property Urpeth Lodge in Durham.

He lived all of his life at Coulby Manor, Yorkshire as did his wife Elizabeth and did not move to Close House.

[7] At the age of only 38 this Calverley Bewicke died leaving his wife Eleanor to raise their seven children at Close House.

It was stated in a newspaper article that the reason for his financial difficulties was "his extravagance in living, losses gambling and betting and too heavy interest on borrowed money.

Her eldest son Calverley Bewicke (1883–1963) was the heir to the property and he found a career in the Scots Guards and was eventually promoted to Captain.

[11] They resumed occupation of Close House when Sir James Knott left and developed a successful racehorse stud.