Welcome to the Herstmonceux Castle During World War II Tour

Castle Background

While Herstmonceux Castle may look like a fortress meant to hold back an army during battle, this is not the case. The specialty brick walls and large windows make it vulnerable to decay and outside attacks seen during wars. Herstmonceux Castle has undergone many updates and renovations since its original construction in 1441. The eighteenth-century owners of the castle, who had acquired it from the Sir Thomas Lennard, Lord Dacre, in 1708, deliberately demolished the interiors in 1776. From that point in time, the site remained a picturesque ruin.



Credit: Benjamin Stone, platinum print, July 1902. © National Portrait Gallery, London
 


 


 


 

Claude William Henry Lowther

This changed in 1911, when Lieutenant Colonel Claude Lowther (1870 - 1929) purchased the estate following his distinguished military career. Lowther had inherited a fortune from his father, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Lonsdale, and had become a distinguished Lieutenant for the British Army. Lowther was a respected political and societal figure, and began restoring the Castle in 1912 using his political influence and wealth. The restoration was completed by many local craftsmen, and by June 1912, a large portion of the south front had been revitalized. The first World War halted progress on restorations, but resumed immediately thereafter. While Lowther restored the front (southern) wing and a portion of the eastern wing, by the time of his death in 1929, the remainder remained unfinished.



Sir Paul Latham, the owner of the Herstmonceux estate during WWII.
 


 


 


 

Sir Paul Latham

The Castle then passed briefly into the hands of Reginald Lawson, whose widow sold it to Sir Herbert Paul Latham, baronet, in 1932. With the assistance of the renowned Lewes architect, Walter Godfrey, Latham rebuilt the remainder of the Castle and restored its splendid grounds to the footprint still visible today. This included the plan for the gardens, the swimming pool, and the tennis courts, as well as the ancillary buildings still standing today, which served as his butler's residence and garage.

Original Letter Describing A Day At Herstmonceux Under the Ownership of Sir Paul Latham


Transcribed Account of Herstmonceux Grounds from Barbara Good (June 23rd, 1937)

"Yesterday was a big sight seeing day. We all left here in buses at 10.15. First we went to Herstmonceux Castle a real old castle of about the 13th century. It is owned by Sir Paul Latham who is tall, rather good looking with fair curly hair and is married. On top of all that he is a member of Parliament, is worth about £7,000,000 has a place in Scotland and a house in London between that of Vincent Massey and Barbara Huttens Boy! Do I ever move in aristocratic circles. Moreover he is awfully nice personally, is not at all snobbish and is very good to his servants, often driving the car himself so that one of them can go to a dance.

The grounds are beautiful and contain a swimming pool and several courts which same of them used while I tried to acquire a tan. We were showed around the castle. It is perfect! - rooms and rooms for lounging, studies a ballroom, a library, and numerous bedrooms. One contains a bed in which Queen Anne is supposed to have slept. We were given a scrumptious dinner. First was a huge course of salmon cucumbers and such, and then we nearly died when we were given another meat course. There were jugs and jugs of orange juice and apple cider. We left about two o'clock and were driven on to Battle Abbey…"

World War II and the Repurposing of Herstmonceux

 
 

Sites and Staff of World War II at Herstmonceux Castle

On this tour, you will explore:

  • The Presence of the Hearts of Oak Society
  • Wartime Huts
  • Doodlebugs in WWII
  • Location of Underground Air Raid Bunker
  • Herstmonceux's Staff Fire Brigade



 


 


 


 


Herstmonceux Castle - Ivy Ruins to Restoration

A collaborative project

SSHRC – University of Waterloo (Medieval DRAGEN Lab) – Brock University

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