Alton Castle

Infobox Military Structure
name=Alton Castle
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type=Masonry Castle
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built=12th century
builder=Bertram de Verdun
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demolished=
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Alton Castle is in the village of Alton, Staffordshire (gbmapping|SK074425). The castle is also known as or referred to in historical documents as Alverton or Aulton. The remains of the castle are a Grade I listed building. It is also a scheduled ancient monument.cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=275004 |title=Images of England: Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=English Heritage ] Despite its close proximity, it is entirely separate from Alton Towers.

Physical description

The castle is located on a hill above the Churnet Valley.

History

Alton Castle was founded by Bertram de Verdon and built on a rocky precipice overlooking the River Churnet in the 12th century. It was substantially reconstructed during the 15th century and subsequently was damaged during the Civil War. In 1847 it was significantly reconstructed by Pugin as a Gothic country house [cite web |url=http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/128/altoncastle.htm |title=Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=CastleUK.Net ] for the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury.

The site was taken over by the Sisters of Mercy in 1855 and the presbytery became their convent. The castle remained a private residence until 1919 when the Sisters of Mercy bought it for £3,500 to extend their boarding school. The school closed in 1989 and the castle was left empty until in 1996. [cite web |url=http://www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/engine/resource/exhibition/standard/default.asp?resource=13101 |title=Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=Staffordshire County Council ]

In 1996 it was established by the Archdiocese of Birmingham as a Catholic Youth Retreat Centre. [cite web |url=http://www.altoncastle.co.uk/ |title=Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=Gabriel Education Trust ] As many as 7,000 children age 9-13 spend time there each year. [Paul Connor. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/02/faith_alton_castle_christian_retreat_feature.shtml "Alton Castle - a Christian haven".] BBC.]

This is a Grade II* listed building. [cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=275005 |title=Images of England: St. John's Preparatory School |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=English Heritage ]

Notes

External links

*cite web |url=http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/v/alton/alton-castle-aerial-aa04173b.jpg.html |title=Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=Webb Aviation
*cite web |url=http://www.pugin.com/PugAcas.htm |title=Alton Castle |accessdate=2007-11-29 |publisher=Pugin Society

ee also

*Alton Towers - a nearby but separate property