WEDDINGTON CASTLE - An Online History
LINKS
Below are links to several websites which may be of interest. Just click on the web address to be connected to the website. Please note, these are third party sites (except for www.weddingtoncastle.co.uk) and Weddington Castle accepts no liability for their content.
1. Caldecote Hall
http://caldecote.gsmnewmedia.com/about
Whilst Caldecote Hall - Weddington Castle's surviving neighbour - has long been converted into flats, its impressive exterior has been sympathetically maintained by developers. It was, until recently, possible to gain an insight into this magnificent building by visiting www.caldecotehall.co.uk. This site, whilst maintained by the Hall's current developers, contained some fascinating historical detail and images of the Hall both past and present. As of May 2009 this site is no longer active. However the above link has appeared which features a certain amount of information about this building. Further details about the provenance of this site will appear soon.
In the meantime, a modified version of this site can be accessed on the Weddington Castle website by clicking
here.
2. Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society
NNWFHS welcome all levels of interest. If you are starting out, we can set you on the right path and show you how and where to access the records you need. We can also help you to find other people who share your surname interests. NNWFHS have a growing number of members from all over the world as well as the far corners of the UK. We organise workshops, slide shows; talks by family and local historians on a variety of subjects; visits to local and national record repositories, and local places of interest; and other events throughout the year. We also exhibit at Family History Fairs and other ‘heritage’ events.
3. The Nuneaton Society
The Nuneaton Society is an active society serving the town of Nuneaton (the area covered by the old 1907 Borough before it merged with the neighbouring town of Bedworth). We are dedicated to preserving the built environment, encouraging quality in renewing our townscape, preserving our flora and fauna, protecting our green spaces, improving traffic in the area, providing better local facilities for residents and visitors.
We also take a great deal of interest in our local heritage. We aim to preserve as much as possible of our old town. To disseminate local history and put Nuneaton forward as a place of interest with a great deal to offer anyone who has family or friends in the area. The areas we cover comprise the ancient parishes of Nuneaton, Chilvers Coton, Stockingford, Weddington, and Caldecote.
4. The Parts of a Manor House
"The Parts of a Manor House" website
This website reproduces a fascinating little book - written and illustrated by Sidney H. Heath - published in 1928 (ironically the year of Weddington Castle's demolition). Whilst not related directly to Weddington Castle itself, this book gives an interesting contemporary overview of the key elements contained within a typical Manor House of the time.
5. The Nuneaton Gold Belt*
Bridging Time - Nuneaton's Gold Belt
In 2003 an artistic project, lead by local artist Alisha Miller, was undertaken. This project, named 'The Gold Belt', was an artistic interpretation of Nuneaton history placed under the Vicarage Street walkway between Riversley Park and the George Eliot Memorial Gardens. Being in Riversley Park this work incorporated much of the history of this land, bequeathed to Nuneaton by Alderman George Melly and indeed, takes its name from his own motto: "a good reputation is better than a gold belt". You will need Adobe Acrobat to read this document.
6. The Landmark Trust
The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity, founded in 1965 by the late Sir John Smith and Lady Smith. It was established to rescue historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from neglect and, when restored, to give them new life by letting them as places to experience by staying in them.
It's aim is to promote enjoyment of such places by enabling as many people as possible to experience living in them for a short time. The letting income this generates then pays for the buildings’ future maintenance. The Trust is currently attempting to obtain funds to purchase and renovate the local derelict building of Astley Castle. As a charity, Landmark relies on voluntary sources of income to rescue more buildings.
7. www.ecastles.co.uk
This site contains information on 700 English and Welsh castles, fortified houses and pele towers built since the first century. 250 of the 18th and 19th century coastal forts are also covered. There are maps to show the location of the castles and forts as well as those that are nearby. 550 of the most important sites have been photographed so far.
8. Maxstoke Castle
"A Short History of Maxstoke Castle"
This illustrated site details the history of the building and owners of Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire, from its establishment in 1345 to the present day. It is based on accounts by the Fetherston-Dilke family - the current owners of the Castle whose family have occupied Maxstoke Castle for nearly 400 years.
9. Someries Castle
Our sister site, detailing the history and architecture of Someries Castle in Bedfordshire. Someries Castle dates back to the 1430s when a mansion was built by Lord Wenlock. The house is unique in that it is regarded as one of the first brick buildings in England. The magnificent brickwork can still be seen in the remains of the gatehouse incorporating the chapel and lodge which still stands today. Sadly, this important building is now under threat of destruction from the nearby Luton Airport Expansion.
10. Tamworth Castle
www.tamworthcastle.freeserve.co.uk/opening.htm
Just a few miles from Nuneaton, Tamworth Castle is a Norman motte and bailey castle set in the south-west corner of what was a Saxon burh, it's located to dominate the approach over the two rivers which meet below the Castle. This site, maintained by 'The Friends of Tamworth Castle' features a full history, photo gallery and interactive map.
11. Lost Heritage
http://lh.matthewbeckett.com/index.html
It has been estimated that as many as 2,000 notable houses have been demolished in England - this website is a memorial to those lost country houses. The site aims to list all the significant houses known to have been demolished, destroyed or are just ruins and also to provide history and photos on individual properties where possible.
12. Castles on the Web
http://www.castlesontheweb.com
Offers an extensive database
of links to all things Castle related!
13. Heritage of North Warwickshire*
Heritage of North Warwickshire
A document created by North Warwickshire Borough Council detailing sites of historic interest in North Warwickshire. Includes items on Astley Castle, Hartshill Castle and local poet Michael Drayton's description of the Anker Valley.
14. The West Midlands Ghost Club
The 'W.M.G.C.' was established in 1991, to study and investigate (alleged) Paranormal Activity within the West Midlands, South Staffordshire and immediate surrounding counties. There are numerous fascinating accounts of investigations of local sites reputed to be haunted on this site - including comprehensive photo galleries.
15. The Stephenson's family history site
http://www.thebamburghstephensons.me.uk/10.html
Whilst this site started off as a family history site, it now has an interesting local history section - including one on 'Changing Nuneaton' which has information and images of Weddington Road, the Royal Red Gate and The Grove.
* You will need to have Adobe Acrobat software installed on your computer in order to download and read these files. If you do not have this you can download the software for free by clicking the image below (you must be connected to the Internet to access this site and download the software). When you have downloaded the software you can return to this page by clicking the 'back' button on your browser.
