Caverswall Castle

VPS are pleased to offer the absolutely amazing opportunity to live with other guardians in a real moated castle that originally dates back to the thirteenth century! It is a Grade I listed building in Caverswall, Staffordshire. All rooms are larger than life doubles with en suite bathrooms and stunning views over the moat to the rolling Staffordshire countryside.

Everything You Need To Know About Caverswall Castle

Caverswall Castle has a varied and exciting history. This castle was built at the point where the two River Blythe tributaries rise and where there had been an Anglo-Saxon Manor. Due to its interesting appearance and history, it is one of Staffordshire’s most attractive mansions.

Ernulf de Hesing is the earliest known owner of the castle. He was a Saxon holder and it is believed that during the Conquest he was driven away from the estate. This property then came into the possession of Sir William de Caverswall. In 1275 he received a license to Crenellate and formed a moat when he incorporated the two tributaries. Inside the bailey, the keep was then constructed.

The castle started to fall into decay. It 1615 Matthew Cradock, the mayor of Stafford, purchased the property. In 1625 he had it rebuilt as a Jacobean mansion. He kept the great tower as well as the walls and turrets which he transformed into garden pavilions and remodelled the gatehouse to match. In the middle of the bailey, a formal Jacobean manor house was built and attached to the keep.

There have been a few additions made since, however, Caverswall Castle has largely remained the way it was made by Craddock. During the English civil war, parliamentary forces garrisoned the castle. However, it was deemed to be indefensible. That led to the castle to emerging from the war unharmed, and it was turned into a sanctuary where Benedictine nuns fled to escape the French Revolution.

During the mid-19th century, Sir Percival Radcliffe owned the castle. He had the moat drained and created incredible decorative gardens that today are still part of the grounds. The Wedgewood family lived in the castle during the 1880s and the Wedgewood ceiling was added to the library. Mr. W.E. Bowers purchased the house in 1891. He lived there for 40 years. During that time he added on a complimentary wing that is a separate residence on the property now.

Some Key features:

• Stunning historic grade i listed moated castle
• Set in over 20 acres in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside
• 18 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 9 reception rooms games room, entertainment room, gym room
• Steeped in history.
• Owners have included the Wedgewood family
• Visitors have included Charles Darwin

The main part of Caverswall Castle has remained intact in all of its impressive grandeur. It has been faithfully restored over the years to an incredibly high standard by its current owner. There have also been great lengths taken to get the property’s very impressive moat reinstated.

The home’s primary material is sandstone. It covers three storeys and also an extensive basement. There are many stained glass windows that offer beautiful views over the grounds with lakes and woodlands. The property’s interior is still mainly Jacobean with many of the rooms still featuring the original oak panelling. The large carved sandstone fireplaces have decorative craved screens.

The library still contains the Wedgewood ceiling. On each turn of the oak staircase, there are carved mythical figures. The staircase connects with the three floors and has a door that leads to the roof. The castle contains 11 suites, which include the converted turrets, that all provide spacious double bedrooms along with en suite bathrooms.

The property’s grounds feature a parkland with a range of trees including mature oak and beech along with two stunning leaks. A dramatic setting for the impressive property is provided by the gardens.

Caverswall Castle is approached via a double round-arch bridge covering the moat that Matthew Craddock built. It replaced the original drawbridge and leads up to a Tudor archway that has a studded old oak door resting on iron hinges. The gateway is flanked by an octagonal gatehouse and opens to the bailey.

Caverswall is a historic village that is located in the back of the property with the front overlooking the gardens, farmlands, and lakes beyond. The village is tucked away neatly from the view and surrounded by trees.

The village contains a range of local amenities including an active village hall, a shop, and 2 schools. Blythe Bridge is within 3 miles of Caverswall Castle and there is also a supermarket. The castle is surrounded by many golf courses and it is also ideally situated for the Peak District and the Potteries.

The castle is 3 miles away from A50 in terms of communication links, which provides easy access to both the M6 and M1. A rail station is located 7.3 miles away in Stoke on Trent. The station provides direct service regularly to London Euston and takes only 1 hour and 23 minutes. The castle is located between Birmingham and Manchester which both have international airports.

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Accommodation

Main Castle

All measurements are imperial with metric shown in brackets.

Lower Ground Floor

Accessed is gained via the staircase from the ground floor and the courtyard of the grounds

• Boiler Room 11’6 x 8’9 (3.51 x 2.67)
• Store Room 8′ x 6’10 (2.46 x 2.10)
• Wine Cellar 10’5 x 10’5 (3.20 x 3.20)
• Entertainment Room 23’5 x 17′ (7.14 x 5.20)
• Billiard Room 24′ x 16’8 (7.31 x 5.10)
• Gym 23′ x 21’3max x 16’7 (7.04 x 6.49max x 5.06min)

Inner lobby

• Games Room 18’2 x 12 (5.56 x 3.66)
• Store Room 18’2 x 13′ (5.56 x 3.96)
• Commercial Kitchen 23’max 15’6min x 16’8 (7.06max 4.74min x 5.10max)
• Utility 19’3max x 10’9 (5.88max x 3.28max) with access to the outside

Leading from the inner lobby is the reception hall to the Moat House and the staircase to the ground floor.

Ground Floor

Main Grand Entrance

• Vestibule
• Welcoming Reception Hall (7.47 x 6.60max 5.10min)
• Dining Room 23’6 x 22′ max 16’7min (7.18 x 6.70max 5.07min)
• Wedgewood Library 22’9 x 21’max 16’9min (6.95 x 6.44max 5.11min)
• Office/Study 23’8max 15’5 x 16’9 (7.23max 4.72min x 5.11max)
• Lift to all levels
• Two sets of Staircases to first floor (one leading from the main reception hall and the other is set of the hallway itself.)
• Guest Cloakroom 8’10 x 2’8 (2.71 x 0.82)

First Floor Accommodation

• Kings Suite 22’max 16’10min x 15’10 (6.70max 5.14min x 4.84)
• Ensuite Bathroom 18’6 x 6’8 (5.64 x 2.04)
• Queens Suite 18’3 x 15’4 (5.57 x 4.68)
• Ensuite Bathroom 9’11 x 7’6 (3 X 2.31)
• Princess Suite 22’max 15’10min x 16’7 (6.75max 5.14min x 5.06)
• Ensuite Bathroom with Sauna 16’7max x 8’5 (5.07max x 2.58max)
• White Drawing Room 31’5 x 22’max 16’10min (9.60 x 6.70max 5.15min)
• Guest Cloakroom 8’5 x 2’7 (2.59 x 0.81)

Second Floor Accommodation

• Princes Suite 24’8max 15’6min x 20’7max 17’2min (7.52max 4.73min x 6.29max 5.24min)
• Enusite Bathroom 12’3 x 8’8 (3.74 x 2.65)
• Regal Suite 25’7max x 22’max 17’7min (7.80max x 6.73max 5.37min)
• Ensuite Bathroom 18’2 x 6′ (5.54x 1.81)
• Knights Suite 22’max 17’6min x 16’4 (6.73max 5.34min x 5)
• Ensuite Bathroom 17’4 x 6’7 (5.29 x 2.02)
• Knaves Suite 17′ x 15’8 (5.22 x 4.78)
• Ensuite Bathroom 10’3 x 7’4 (3.14 x 2.26)

Access via staircase to the LARGE Roof Terrace

• Moat House – Later Addition which is attached to the Main Castle
• Chapel Room 26’8 x 19’9 (8.15 x 6.02)
• Bedroom 15’8 x 14’9 (4.80 x 4.50)
• Bedroom 13’8 x 10′ (4.19 x 3.05)
• Dressing room/bedroom leading off 10′ x 6’9 (3.05 x 2.06)
• Glazed reception hall leading to:
• Fitted Kitchen 16’9 x 10’5 (5.11 x 3.20)
• Turret Bedroom 13’8 x 13’8 (4.19 x 4.19)
• Moat House – First Floor Accommodation
• Bowers Suite 15’8 x 15’5 (4.80 x 4.72)
• Bedroom 12’2 x 10’2 (3.73 x 3.12)
• Jack & Jill Ensuite (access to landing)
• Bedroom 13’8 x 10’5 (4.19 x 3.20)
• Bedroom/Dressing Room 10′ x 6’5 (3.05 x 1.98)
• Shower Room

Outside

Double gates leading from the Inner Ward (courtyard) opening onto the brick built bridge crossing the moat providing access to the church and quiet country lane to the village.

Lying adjacent to the Bridge is the:

• Gate House
• Bedroom 14′ x 12′ 8 (4.27 x 3.88) (ground Floor)
• Shower room
• Spiral staircase to:
• Studio with kitchenette 16’9 x 14′ (5.11 x 4.27)

Three further turrets located at each corner of the courtyard of the Keep:

• Sister Josephine Turret
• Studio 14′ x 11’8 (4.27 x 3.58) (ground Floor)
• Staircase to:
• Bedroom 14′ x 10’2(4.27 x 3.12) with ensuite shower room
• Sir Thomas More Turret
• Studio with Kitchenette 14’9 x 11′ (4.50 x 3.35)
• Staircase to:
• Bedroom 12′ x 10′ (3.66 x 3.05) with ensuite shower Room
• Matthew Craddock Turret
• Studio with Kitchenette 16’4 x 16’6 (5.00 x 5.03)
• Spiral Staircase to Bedroom with ensuite 16’2 x 16’2 (4.95 x 4.95)

In addition there is a converted gatehouse, an orangery, workshop and old dungeon which is bound to be of interest to guests.

The extensive grounds include gardens and lakes and parkland, scope to land helicopters, additional sweeping driveway through the vast 20acres of grounds.

Services:

The property is connected to mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating and mains gas to the 2nd floor.

The Council tax band is H payable to Staffordshire Moorlands 0345 605 3011

Local Amenities

Caverswall village has excellent local amenities including a shop, two schools and active Village Hall. A supermarket is only three miles at Blythe Bridge. The castle is ideally situated to many golf courses eg , Trentham Golf Club is 6 miles away, Leek Golf Club is 9 miles away, Westwood Golf Club is 11 miles away, and Onneley Golf Club is 16 miles away. The Peak District and the Potteries are also within easy reach.

Road & Train Links

Three miles from the A50, providing easy access to the M6 and M1. The main line rail station at Stoke on Trent is approximately 7.3miles and offers a regular direct service to London Euston which takes approximately 1hr 23mins.

• Stoke on Trent 6miles
• Birmingham 45miles
• Manchester 50miles
• M6 (j15) 8 Miles

Directions

From the M6 take the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Follow signs to Uttoxeter onto the A50. Continue for 3 miles through the underpass and take the turning at Blythe Bridge signed to Caverswall. Turn immediately left at the roundabout signed for Caverswall, Continue for approximately 2 miles and at the junction turn right and on entering the Village square, bear right. The gateway for Caverswall Castle will be found on the right between the two churches.

From Birmingham/Sutton Coldfield/Lichfield the A38 and the A50 to Blythe Bridge or alternatively the A51 from Lichfield to Sandon and the B5066 to Blythe Bridge.