Castle Donington

History of Castle Donington

Castle Donington stands on the former Nottingham to Birmingham trunk road. It is a pleasant blend of the old and new, with modern shops standing alongside dignified Georgian and Regency houses. Several timber framed houses dating from the I 7th century and earlier, survive along the main road.

Dunitone' was mentioned in Domesday. In 1086 it had a Mill, presumably King's Mills, a priest and extensive woodland. The first castle was begun in 1135AD by Eustace, Baron Haulton. In 1215. the castle's owner, the powerful John De Lacy, whose descendants later became Earls of Lincoln, was one of the signatories of Magna Carta. The domineering King John was perhaps taking his revenge when his troops levelled Donington Castle the next year.

This first castle was probably of the 'Motte and Bailey' type, but the replacement, finished around 1260, was much grander, having 'two round towers, two square, and one part round, part square'. It had a double dry moat much of which survives. Its successive owners were not always lucky, four of them dying by the executioner's axe. Most of the building was demolished at the end of the 16th century for the stone which was used to enlarge Langley Priory, two miles south of Castle Donington and for the development of the first Donington Hall. A few private houses on the site incorporate fragments of the original building.

The Parish Church , unusually dedicated to St Edward, King & Martyr, has a fine tower and spire which are visible for many miles. It replaced an earlier church of which nothing survives and was probably begun early in the 13th century. It was attached to Norton Priory near Runcorn and has features in the Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular styles of architecture. The 13th century chancel windows and an ogee-canopied figure, believed to be that of a priest, set in the chancel wall are interesting. The church has fine tomb chests of the Hazelrigge and Staunton families and stained glass by Kempe, installed in 1902.

The area around the church remains the main centre for shopping and is full of interest. The street layout itself was modified by the Normans when the castle and church were built, although some of the odd street names, such as 'Barroon' Biggin and Bondgate originated in the time of the Danelaw. The meaning of the name 'Clapgun St' is obscure.

The decline of cottage industries around 1840 led to unemployment in Castle Donington and many workers left for larger towns. There was little building in the central area for the next century so that it retains some of the charm it had when Queen Victoria was a young woman.

Donington Hall with its park was the home of members of the Hastings family from 1595 until the death of Lord Donington in 1895. The old hall was replaced by the present building, in 1793 by Earl Moira, later 1st Marquis Hastings. The Hall is of the 'Strawberry Hill Gothic' style, first made fashionable by Walpole. The architect was Wilkins. The main entrance is surmounted by a tall vaulted porch with a fine belvedere above it. The Gothic theme continues in the vaulted entrance hall with its fireplace still carrying the Hastings insignia. Beyond is a splendid oval stairway. The hall and park were developed between the wars into what would today be known as a Country Club with accommodation, golf, boating and other amusements, the most notable of which was the racetrack, which developed from humble beginnings using the park driveways to a Grand Prix circuit.

All this was closed during the last war when the property was requisitioned by the Army. Today the racetrack is open again and it is possible to see something of its pre-war glories in the Racing car Museum. The Hall is now the headquarters of British Midland Airways who have carefully restored it to much of its former glory. The medieval Deer Park survives and is designated a site of special scientific interest. (SSSI)

The picturesque King's Mills lie on the River Trent and were formerly a part of the Hall estate. As well as grinding corn, the Mills have served several other industrial functions, including the manufacture of Bank Note paper and the grinding of gypsum as part of plaster manufacture. The flint used in the manufacture of early Derby porcelain was ground at King's Mills

The Mills were destroyed by fire in 1927 but the picturesque Priest House survives and is today a restaurant and hotel which incorporates former estate workers cottages and also has a modern extension. The ferry boat no longer operates although the steps which once served it are still to be seen.

Bruce Townsend

Castle Donington Museum Trust