House & Family History: It's likely that Weddington Castle began life as a 13th century royal hunting lodge. The earliest forfeited house was probably built by Thomas Grey, 1st Marquis of Dorset, in the 15th century. The Elizabethan house was castellated in 1807-08 to the designs of Robert Lugar for Lionel Place (died 1845), who had recently purchased the Estate. By 1916 Weddington passed out of private ownership and became a rehabilitation hospital for soldiers sent home from the trenches of the Great War. In 1928 the House was demolished to make way for a housing development.

Collections: A portrait by Arthur Devis of Francis Vincent, his wife, Mercy, and daughter, Ann, painted in 1763, is today in the collection of Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston.

Garden & Outbuildings: The House was set in beautiful parkland and gardens that covered 350 acres that dropped down to the River Anker.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Walter de Astley, 13th century. Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn, 15th century; Thomas Grey, 1st Marquis of Dorset, 15th century. Humphrey Adderley III, 17th century. Francis Vincent, 18th century. Lionel Place, early 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Website: http://www.weddingtoncastle.co.uk

Historic Houses Member: No