East Cowes Castle

The structure gained renown for its complex castellation, its gothic-style turrets and towers, which were built in the style of the period of Edward VI,[2] and for the notable individuals who came to be Nash's guests there, including the Prince Regent, who went on to become King George IV and J. M. W. Turner, who painted a picture of the location.

There were also splendid conservatories, a picture gallery, gardens of superior order, hothouses and five commodious detached residences.

[9] This exact copy of the original East Cowes Castle was built on Lough Cutra, County Galway in 1814.

As described, East Cowes Castle was originally designed, built and owned by the famous architect John Nash, who was the protégé of the Prince Regent, who was to become King George IV.

The circumstances surrounding its creation was that Charles Vereker, 2nd Viscount Gort happened to visit East Cowes Castle, along with the Prince Regent.

Nash therefore built an exact copy of East Cowes Castle there for him, although the cost was finally put at around £70,000.

Nash also designed many Isle of Wight buildings, including Newport Town Hall, Whippingham Church, and Northwood House.

[12] He also designed the IW County Club, which is the ornate arched building on the corner of Newport High Street and St James' Square.

[13] In July 1817, the Prince Regent dined at the castle, with four hundred soldiers from Parkhurst Barracks forming a guard of honour.

In 1819, just six months before his coronation as King George IV, the Prince Regent visited Nash again at East Cowes Castle, whilst touring on the Royal Yacht.

In August 1830, the Dauphiness and Duchess De Berri, accompanying the expatriated King of France, visited East Cowes Castle.

[20] Henry Boyle, 3rd Earl of Shannon KP, PC (Ire) bought East Cowes Castle and its furniture in February 1836 for twenty thousand guineas.

His heir, Richard Boyle, 4th Earl of Shannon had recently married the daughter of Lord George Seymour, the owner of nearby Norris Castle.

[22] In April 1836, the Earl of Shannon sold at auction John Nash's choice wines from the East Cowes Castle cellar.

[25] In August 1837, the Dowager Queen Adelaide stayed at East Cowes Castle for some time to recuperate from a serious illness, after her physicians felt that the mild sea air would help her convalescence.

In October 1838, the Earl was again reported to be dangerously ill[27] and in 1841, he was prevented from visiting the castle, due to the delicate state of his health.

[29] Following the 3rd Earl's death, his son shipped all of the castle's "splendid furniture and appointments" back to the family seat in Castlemartyr, Cork, so that the 'marine villa' could be let out.

[34] Shortly afterwards it was reported that the exiled former King of France, the Count de Neuilly had leased the castle for a term, of several years.

[39] His widow, Elizabeth Mary Tudor, was the only daughter and heiress of Mr John Jones esq.

The only damage caused was the breaking of three dozen panes of glass and scaring the plumbers and workmen working their out of their wits.

[42] In 1861, John Vereker, 3rd Viscount Gort on marrying the widowed Mrs Tudor, whom he had met in Paris,[11] became the new lord of East Cowes Castle.

In January 1876, Dowager Viscountess Gort was visited at East Cowes Castle by Queen Victoria and the Princess Beatrice.

He held the office of High Sheriff in 1843 and gained the rank of Honorary Colonel in the service of the 4th Brigade, South Irish Division, Royal Artillery.

[47] Like his father, Vereker was in the service of the 4th Brigade, South Irish Division, Royal Artillery, gaining the rank of captain.

East Cowes Castle remained under the Control of Lady Gort, held in trust for her children until her death.

However, his younger brother, Standish Vereker, 7th Viscount Gort MC KStJ, who served under him, was also a war hero.

Upon the death of Lady Eleanor Gort in 1933, the contents of the castle was auctioned in August of that year, on the instructions of her executors.

[52] The following week it was announced that a company was being formed to manage the estate and that the secretary was a Mr R G Burke, with the registered office being 6 Birmingham Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight.

[56] By 1946, the castle was in a very sorry state, with the lead roofing and floorboards having been sold or taken to patch up bombed local properties.

The original northern gatehouse to the castle still survives, the North Lodge in Old Road, East Cowes.