Dobroyd Castle, Grade II* listed castle in Todmorden, England
Dobroyd Castle sits on elevated ground and was designed by architect John Gibson with four turrets, a four-storey tower, and multiple bay windows. The building contains 66 rooms spread across its 17-acre grounds.
John Fielden Junior commissioned the castle in 1866 after promising his future wife Ruth Stansfield that he would build this grand residence. The property reflects the wealth that the region's textile industry boom had generated.
The castle displays stone carvings depicting scenes from the cotton industry, including representations of Richard Arkwright and manufacturing processes. These artworks tell the story of the region's economic prosperity and the people who built it.
The castle now functions as an activity center and is accessible to visitors through organized tours, particularly during school group visits. It sits on expansive grounds that offer plenty of space to explore around the buildings.
Ruth Fielden, the builder's wife, lived in a separate Swiss chalet below the castle after its completion rather than in the main residence. This unusual living arrangement reveals something intriguing about the household and remains a curious aspect of the property's story.
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