Eastnor Castle was founded by John Somers Cocks, 1st Earl Somers in 1810 and is now home to the family of James Hervey-Bathurst, grandson of Arthur Somers-Cocks. The Cocks acquired the land in the 16th century, but it was not until the Somers and Nash families became relatives of the former that there were sufficient funds to build the mock castle. The architect Robert Smirke was in charge of the construction, with the collaboration of Augustus Pugin, who designed the Gothic hall.
Several events are held on the castle grounds each year: the Land Rover World Event in June, where Land Rover fans can test drive the latest Range Rover, Defender and Freelander models; the Big Chill music festival – an alternative and chill-out music festival – is held in early August at deer park and the Mountain Mayhem, which is a 24-hour mountain bike race, was held at the deer park in 2008.
However, the castle has also served as a wedding venue, corporate training and team-building venue, and has been the location for several films over 40 years, including: Once Again (1969), Great Antiques Treasure Hunt (1995), Country Lives (2007), and series and TV shows: The Pallisters (1974), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1994), Antiques Roadshow (2000), Dracula (2006), and others. British glam rock band Slade recorded their Run Runaway music video in 1974.
Located in the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire, the castle is conveniently linked to the national motorway network by the A438, just ten minutes from the castle and two and a half hours from London. The natural resources and elements, as well as the magnificent surroundings, make Eastnor Castle the ideal place to host activities and team building events. The lake, the castle walls, the forests and the harsh conditions of the terrain will bring out the best in the participants in these events.
