Clan Rising
Goodrich Court today

England · Demolished

Goodrich Court

Goodrich Court was a 19th-century neo-Gothic mock castle built in 1828 by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick near Goodrich, Herefordshire to display his collection of arms and antiquities. Designed by Edward Blore in red sandstone it stood on a hilltop opposite the ruined Norman Goodrich Castle and was demolished in 1949–50; the Monmouth Gate and some service buildings survive.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1848

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1848

What Goodrich Court looked like in its prime.

A large, red sandstone neo-Gothic mansion with a tower-bedecked silhouette: multiple crenellated parapets, a mix of towers and turrets, and a prominent gatehouse with a portcullis and machicolations. Built on a hilltop directly facing the ruined Norman Goodrich Castle, the composition includes a moat and an ordered service range of stables and a small lodge; overall roofline punctured by towers and castellated battlements, appearing like a castellated house or French château in stone.

Its story

The story of Goodrich Court.

Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, an antiquarian who claimed, incorrectly, kinship with the Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd, wanted a genuine Marches castle for an ancestral home. Unable to complete the purchase of Goodrich Castle after a visit in 1823 ("the very thing to suit us"), he built his own beside the Norman ruin in 1828: Goodrich Court, a neo-Gothic mock castle designed by Edward Blore in local red sandstone, complete with gatehouse, portcullis, battlements, moat and towers.

Its Armoury hall displayed Meyrick's significant collection of armour and antiquities, much of which later passed to the British Museum and the Wallace Collection, and house and collections became a notable element of the Wye Tour. Many details used the heraldic symbols of Aylmer de Valence, a medieval lord of Goodrich Castle, though Wordsworth wished "to blow away Sir Samuel Meyrick's impertinent structure and all the possessions it contained".

Meyrick's son predeceased him, and after his death the court passed through a number of hands, housing pupils of Felsted School during the Second World War. When the school left, the building was stripped of its contents, furnishings and fixtures and completely demolished in 1949–50. Apart from a small lodge and the stables, the only significant survival is the Grade II listed Monmouth Gatehouse on the Monmouth to Ross-on-Wye road.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1848.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Goodrich Court, including 2 interiors: armoury (large hall), stable interior / yard. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the Wye valleyMonmouth Gate (exterior)Main gatehouse with portcullisBattlement walk and towersArmoury (large hall)Stables and service rangeStable interior / yardLodge beside the drive

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Whose castle

Clans who held Goodrich Court.

The families that held Goodrich Court for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Meyrick

    Built by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick in 1828 as an ancestral seat and held until his death, after which it passed through a number of hands.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Goodrich Court.

Tintern Abbey, WalesAncient siteTintern Abbey21 km awayGloucester Cathedral, EnglandCathedralGloucester Cathedral26 km away

Questions about Goodrich Court

What is the history of Goodrich Court?

Goodrich Court was built in the 19th century as a neo-Gothic mock castle and ancestral home for Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick. He had wanted to buy and restore a genuine Marches castle, but instead built this one beside the ruined Goodrich Castle in 1828. After Meyrick’s death in 1848, it passed to George Moffatt, housed Felsted School pupils during the Second World War, and was demolished after the war.

What is inside Goodrich Court?

Goodrich Court contained an Armoury, a large hall displaying Meyrick’s collection of armour and antiquities. The surviving complex also included stables and a service range, with a stable interior and yard documented. The collection later passed in large part to the British Museum and the Wallace Collection.

Why was Goodrich Court built, and what was it used for?

Goodrich Court was built to serve as Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick’s ancestral home and to house his collection of armour and antiquities. Its collection and architecture later became a notable element of the Wye Tour. During the Second World War, the building was used to house pupils from Felsted School.

Where is Goodrich Court?

Goodrich Court stood near Goodrich in Herefordshire, on a hilltop directly opposite the ruined Goodrich Castle. It was positioned beside the Norman castle and the Monmouth Gate stood on the Monmouth to Ross-on-Wye road. The site was part of the landscape of the Wye Tour.

When was Goodrich Court built?

Goodrich Court was built in 1828. It belongs to the 19th century and was constructed as a new castle beside the ruined Goodrich Castle, rather than as a medieval building developed over several phases.

Which family or clan held Goodrich Court?

The Meyrick family held Goodrich Court through Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, who built it in 1828 as an ancestral seat and held it until his death. After his death, it passed through a number of hands. George Moffatt bought it in 1848, but the curated family history identifies Meyrick as the relevant family claim.

What did Goodrich Court look like in its prime?

Goodrich Court was a large red sandstone neo-Gothic mansion with a tower-bedecked silhouette. It had crenellated parapets, towers, turrets, a prominent gatehouse, portcullis, machicolations, battlements and a moat. Its ordered service range included stables and a small lodge, while the whole composition resembled a castellated house or French château.

Is Goodrich Court still standing or is it a ruin?

Goodrich Court is no longer standing: it was completely demolished in 1949–50. A small lodge and the stables survive, while the only significant surviving remnant is the Grade II listed Monmouth Gatehouse. The gatehouse remains intact and is built of red stone with round towers and machicolations.

Who built Goodrich Court?

Goodrich Court was commissioned and built by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, and designed by Edward Blore. Blore was the architect responsible for the Gothic Revival design, while Meyrick was the antiquarian who instructed him and built the court in 1828.

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