Earlier Houses: There have been a number of houses on the site: the ruins of the early 19th century castle contain the remains of an 18th century house. There also are 12th and 13th century towers and fragments of a curtain wall.

Built / Designed For: Sir Thomas Liddell

House & Family History: In 1724 Sir Henry Liddell built a new house between battlemented curtain walls and two towers remaining from the old castle. This house was demolished in 1808 by Sir Thomas Riddell and replaced with an exceptionally grand house designed by John Nash. Built over 35 years, this Ravensworth became one of the finest Gothic Revival houses in the country, rivaled only by Lambton Castle, and resembling Richard Payne Knight's famous Downton Castle. The 1st Duke of Wellington visited Ravensworth in October 1827. The 5th Lord Ravensworth died in 1919, after which the 6th Baron moved to Eslington Park in Northumberland. The house was briefly leased to a girls' school, but gradually fell into disrepair and decay. When the 7th Lord Ravensowrth succeeded in 1932, he decided to demolish Ravensworth Castle and construct a model village. The press objected, and Lord Ravensworth announced that a 30-acre coalfield beneath the house ensured its destruction—because of mining subsidence the foundations were sinking and the walls were cracking. Lord Ravensworth's successor demolished the house in 1953 and constructed craftsman-built houses on the grounds (some of the stone was used to extend Hindley Hall). The ruins have been scheduled by Historic England in the Buildings at Risk Register.

Collections: Ravensworth contained a fine picture collection, including some important Poussins. In 1920 a sale of furniture, books, and pictures took place, including Rembrandt's "Baptism of the Eunuch."

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 62, 1854.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Fitz-Marmaduke family. Lumley family. Gascoigne family. Sir Henry Liddell, 4th Bt., 18th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Thomas Henry Liddell, 1st Baron Ravensworth, 19th century; Henry George Liddell, 2nd Earl of Ravensworth, 19th century; Liddell family here from 1607 until 1910.

Current Ownership Type: Unknown

Primary Current Ownership Use: Ruinous

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No