Someries Castle

Someries Castle, lies south of the city of Luton, almost directly next to the runway of London Luton Airport, in the county of Bedfordshire in England.

Someries Castle was built, after acquisition of the site in 1430, by Sir John Wenlock. And although the building is called a castle it was actually a fortified manor house. The house is unique in that it is regarded as one of the first brick buildings in England. Wenlock never completed the house, because he died in 1471 in the Battle of Tewkesbury, and it was partially demolished in the 18th century.

The name of the castle was derived from a William de Someries, who had a residence on this site.

What remains of the manor at present is the gatehouse, which incorporated a chapel and a lodge.

Someries Castle is freely accessible. It is a little on an out-of-the-way location; at the end of a dirt track, next to some farm buildings with planes from the airport thundering overhead. It was getting dark when I visited which is why I had to lighten up some pictures, but I quite like the result; it adds to the atmosphere.

Gallery