Visiting the house at Chastleton

Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by Walter Jones as a statement of newly-acquired wealth. However, lack of funds over the following centuries meant that few changes were made to the building. This means many original features still exist today.

Creative, bohemian couple Barbara and Alan Clutton-Brock inherited Chastleton in 1955 and brought their family here. You'll see topical magazines, books and records from their heyday as you move through the house. You can also see some of Alan Clutton-Brock's own paintings on display.

Highlights of the house

The Fettiplace Room

This room holds examples of some of the nationally significant textiles in our care. The tapestries were woven by hand in Flanders, between 1560 and 1580. The crewelwork bed hangings were made in the 1720s.

The Great Chamber

This room was meant to be seen by important guests. Decoration includes a remarkable high-relief ceiling and grand chimneypiece.

An engraved decanter and glasses on display here belonged to Henry Jones in the 1740s. But owning them was an act of treason, as they're engraved with emblems in support of the Jacobite cause. The set is a rare survival, as it was customary to smash the glasses after toasting the cause.

The Long Gallery

Curving above this room is the longest-surviving barrel-vaulted ceiling of its date in England. After centuries of neglect, the plasterwork was restored in 1904-5. Two grotesque mask heads at the west end of the room are extremely rare survivals from the 1600s. They're likely to have been placed there to deter evil spirits.