Speedwell Castle

The house is an interesting combination of "Gothick" and Classical architecture: the symmetrical brick façade has two canted bays, each of three storeys, either side of a pillared entrance with ogee portico and octagonal-panelled door.

The façade is finished by a modillion cornice and parapet, concealing a hipped slate roof with brick chimney stacks.

The interior includes one surviving decorative plaster ceiling and a Chinese Chippendale staircase with fretted balustrade.

The design may have been inspired by the books published in the 1740s by Batty Langley, who attempted to improve Gothic forms by giving them classical proportions.

(An alternate story is that the builder owned an unsuccessful racehorse, and said that he would build a castle to celebrate if it ever won).