Astwell Castle, Manor house at Helmdon, England
Astwell Castle is a stone manor house built around a fortified gate tower from the 15th century, with architectural additions from later periods. The property includes multiple living spaces, bedrooms, outbuildings, and extends across fields with structures such as stables and a swimming pool.
Thomas Lovett II purchased the property in 1471 and began extensive renovations that shaped the manor into its current form. About a century later, George Shirley added a courtyard building in the early 1600s, further transforming the structure.
The name Astwell comes from a medieval well that once defined the estate's water systems. The old fishponds and garden structures visible today tell the story of how aristocratic families lived during the medieval period.
The estate sits in a rural setting, so approach roads may be somewhat remote from main routes. Layout across the grounds is clear and straightforward, making it easy to navigate between different areas.
A US Air Force B-17 bomber crashed near the property during World War II, and a memorial on the grounds honors the ten crew members who died. This wartime incident connects the rural English estate to the broader history of the conflict.
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