Bramshill House

Bramshill House is a country castle in the English county of Hampshire. It is one of the largest castles in England from the time of its construction in the early 17th century. It now belongs to the British Home Office and is the seat of the Police Staff College, a training center of the British police, and the European Police College.

Location

Bramshill House is located in the municipality of Bramshill in a rural location approximately in the center of a triangle formed by the towns of Reading, Basingstoke and Farnborough. It can be accessed via the B3011 between Hazeley Heath and the junction with the B3349 at Heckfield Heath.

History and Architectural History

The present castle was built by Edward Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche of Harringworth. Previously, an older home had been located at this point, from the still small remains of the building are visible. Construction period was from 1605 to 1612. 1621 killed George Abbott in the hunt in the castle park accidentally a gamekeeper. In 1699 Sir John Cope bought the land and the property. During the 17th and 18th centuries, some changes to the structure were the Cope family made, the wing of the south side of 1793 were shortened, and the interior dates to a larger part of the 18th century. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington was given by the British Parliament after his victory over Napoleon granted a lock of his choice and also visited Bramshill House, but he preferred to Stratfield Saye 1817. Only in 1935 it was owned by the Copes at Arthur Ronald Nall Nall - Cain, 2nd Baron Brocket, then owned by the state.

Facades and appearance

The facades, especially on the south side are, because of their unusual design as unconventional for the time of their creation, yet as great. They are, as the entire construction, assembled from brick, the corners of each wing provided with Eckquaderung. The central projection above the portal is accented by double pilasters and ornate Asked to all floors especially, additional effect is the central circular bay window on the first floor. This design is one of the most unusual buildings jakobinianischer England. Possibly designs by Hans de Vries Vredeman were role models. The north facade is similar, but simpler in structure, the small niche figure there might be the builder himself. The Loggia of the east side is typical of a house from the time the west facade was designed in the 18th century.

Affairs

The Great Hall is one of the highlights inside. It contains 92 coats of arms of ancestors and family members of the Cope family, the basic design dates from the time it was built. The stairs on the north side of the room, however, was spent from Eversley Manor House in the castle, their levels still date from the mid-16th century. The basement contains the former Dining Room and in the western part of a charming small staircase from the 18th century.

The first floor contains, among others, the so-called Chapel Drawing Room with a fireplace, the fall also is a work of the early Renaissance. The Chapel, Chapel in the south wing, was reduced significantly under the Copes, it contains on the altarpiece an illustration of four saints, probably worked by about 1840. Another special feature is the Long Gallery, it is 126.5 feet, a little over 38.5 meters long. It is richly decorated with stucco work.

Spook

The house is supposed to be the most haunted by ghosts of England, no less than 14 of these beings to inhabit the house. Among them, in addition to a Grey Lady, a Green Man and others still in the White Lady. You should have hidden a newly married bride during a game hiding in a wooden chest, which unfortunately fell to the latch, she could not free itself from within and suffocated. 50 years later they found her skeleton, still in her bridal gown. Since then, her mind is to wander about the castle. The chest is shown at the entrance of the castle.