Greystoke
OS Grid ref:- NY 435309
The immaculate village of Greystoke, set in magnificent scenery, lies on the old Roman road which ran from Keswick to Penrith, amidst hills sweeping up to around 1,200 feet.
St. Andrew's Church
One of the villages most attractive buildings is St. Andrew's Church with its magnificent medieval stained glass east window. The church dates from the 13th century but was largely altered in the 15th century.
The church contains the medieval alabaster effigies of William, 14th Baron Greystoke, who in the 14th century donated funds to build the college and chantries and John, the 16th Baron. The smaller figure, representing the 14th baron, displays armour similar to that shown on the effigy of the Black Prince at Canterbury Cathedral. His feet rest on a lion and his hands are held in the attitude of prayer. The larger figure, depictng the 16th Baron Greystoke, is broken at the knees. His sword has disappeared but his head rests on a tilting helmet. He made a bequest to the church of his horse and all his armour.
Beyond the church gates is a medieval sanctuary stone, where the medieval right of sanctuary inside the churches boundaries could be claimed by offenders. The stone is protected with an iron grille.
Greystoke Castle
Imposing Greystoke Castle, to the north-west of the village was built around 1353 and was once part of a border chain of fortifications.
The castle was badly damaged during the Civil War, but was almost entirely rebuilt by Henry Howard in the nineteenth century. Greystoke Castle is surrounded by a park of nearly 6,000 acres which is stocked with deer. Greystoke Castle is not open to the public.
Images courtesy of Greystoke Castle
The stone gateway of Greystoke Castle opens to the village green which is lined with buildings of distinctive local pale red stone many of which date from the 17th century.
Just to the east of Greystoke stands an extraordinary building, Fort Putnam, a folly built by the eleventh Duke of Norfolk.