War Base

Descending from a Norman family the Pierreponts originally came over with William I in 1066 and settled in Nottinghamshire in 1280 and later acquired wealth which allowed them to build the Tudor manor house you see today which dates back to 1500.

The Hall was requisitioned for military purposes in both World Wars and used for a training camp for young soldiers. The Hall was left unoccupied between wars.

Ghost Hunt, Abington Park Museum, Northampton

In 1669, vast parts of the original Manor House were demolished to make way for a larger, more lavish extension, retaining of course, the Great Hall and Oak Room.
In 1845, Abington Manor was sold to a Londoner who leased out the Manor to Dr Octavius Pritchard who used the property as a mental asylum. It remained as an asylum until 1892. Conditions in the asylum are not believed to have been overly cruel or unpleasant, however it has been reported that during this time two patients hung themselves. The property further exchanged hands in 1897 when it was given to the people of Northampton. It has remained as a museum until present day

1849 the railway arrived in Matlock bringing with it a new trade in tourism.  The Grand Pavilion was built 1910 on the site of the former stables and blacksmith yard next to the river Derwent.  Its aim to host entertainment and events for the masses.

Within a few years of opening First World War soldiers were billeted on site. They also spent time here recuperating from injuries

After the disruption of WWII the Grand Pavilion saw a variety of events and eventually became a nightclub with misdeed and eventually closed.

Over the castles 800-year history many powerful people have stayed here.  Simon De Montfort was a powerful man who inherited Leicester Castle and became the 6th Earl of Leicester in 1208. In 1264 Simon De Montfort led the Barons’ rebellion. He defeated King Henry III to become the uncrowned King Of England.

John of Gaunt, third son of King Edward III, inherited Leicester Castle in 1361. He was a solider, statesman and one of the richest men in England. He always liked Leicester Castle and made many improvements to it making it an extremely grand venue, he stayed here until his death in 1399.

Leicester Castle was also besieged, captured and ransacked during the English Civil War by the Royalist under the command of King Charles I and Prince Rupert in May 1645.

In 1821 the Great Hall was converted in courtrooms and used up until 1992, it was here where the trial took place for the famous Leicester’s Green Bicycle Murder.

Today it is home to Leicester Castle Business Castle, part of De Montfort University.