Elvaston Castle

Elvaston Castle is a Gothic Revival house in Elvaston, designed by James Wyatt with distinctive features including a grand hall and ornate interiors completed in 1829. The building sits at the center of a 200-acre country park open to the public, though the house itself awaits restoration.

The estate originally formed part of Shelford Priory until 1538, when it became a separate property and developed into an Elizabethan manor house. In the early 1800s, it underwent a major transformation into its current Gothic style, completed in 1829.

The house takes its name from the nearby village and served as a private retreat for the earl's family during the 1800s, reflecting their personal journey through loss. The grounds became an expression of how the family shaped their environment to match their private life.

The castle building is currently closed for restoration work, but visitors can freely explore the surrounding country park throughout the year. The park offers open grounds and pathways where you can walk around and view the exterior of the house from various angles.

The gardens were redesigned over two decades by William Barron after the famous landscape designer Capability Brown turned down the project due to the flat terrain. This lengthy process reveals how challenging it was to create visual interest on completely level ground.

Location: Elvaston

Inception: 1836

Architects: James Wyatt

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: https://derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/countryside-sites/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/elvaston/elvaston-castle-country-park.aspx

GPS coordinates: 52.89295,-1.39523

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06