Turns out it was Blencowe Hall. Never heard of it? Neither had I. Apparently the story is this. Cromwell was ranging around the north with his New Model Army and decided to stay attack nearby Greystoke Castle. But he had trouble finding it, or got distracted, or something like that. His troops arrived at Blencowe, apparently decided that would do, and started shooting their cannons at it until one of the towers shattered and began to split apart.
Well, what's a person so do with their little 12 bedroom hall after a mishap like that? Pull the whole thing down and start again, or fix it, or just abandon the place? It seems that at some point in the recent past some genius thought: why not just go with it, and live stylishly in the wreckage?
I have to say, it looks brilliant.
I heard children playing in the garden over the hedge and thought, "How lucky, to live in a place like this!" But it turns out you could be that lucky person too. My sleuthing wife discovered it's rentable, if you've got the money to book a stately home that sleeps 24. You can take a look on their website, or find it on Airbnb!
When I get home I'm digging out a cannon and doing some home improvements ...
Not really about the castle/house but just a very late catch-up. I hadn’t realised that the posts were still coming so I’ve spent a pleasant half hour reading them for the first time. The overwhelming impression I am getting from all your encounters going right back into the depths of Europe is that the life of faith and Faith is alive and well as long as you look further than the habit of Sunday services. Thank you
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