Shirburn Castle

History

Shirburn Castle is a Grade I listed, moated castle located at the village of Shirburn, near Watlington, Oxfordshire. Originally constructed in the fourteenth century, it was renovated and remodelled in the Georgian era by Thomas Parker, the first Earl of Macclesfield who made it his family seat, and altered further in the early nineteenth century. The Earls of Macclesfield remained in residence until 2004, and the castle is still (2022) owned by the Macclesfield family company. It formerly contained an important, early eighteenth century library which, along with valuable paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts including furniture, remained in the ownership of the 9th Earl and were largely dispersed at auction following his departure from the property; notable among these items were George Stubbs's 1768 painting "Brood Mares and Foals", a record setter for the artist at auction in 2010, the Macclesfield Psalter, numerous rare and valuable books, and personal correspondence of Sir Isaac Newton. Still privately owned, the castle is not open to the public although its exterior and some portions of the interior have been publicly visible on account of its use in a number of film and television productions.

Text from the Wikipedia article “Shirburn Castle”, CC BY-SA 4.0.

About George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield

George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, FRS was a British politician and astronomer.

From the Wikipedia article “George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield”, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Visiting

This building is recorded as a residence of the people listed; it may be privately owned and not open to the public. Opening times, tickets and access change, so check the official website before you travel. Get directions.