An Englishman's home was as likely to be his castle in the 19th century as in the middle ages. The gothic style of castles and monasteries was revived and developed in all sorts of unexpected and original ways.
For 150 years, from Strawberry Hill to Castle Drogo, the style flourished and this lecture will show us some of the finest examples including Belvoir Castle, Alton Towers, Penrhyn Castle, Scarisbrick Hall, Peckforton Castle, Cardiff Castle, Mount Stewart, Castell Coch and Carlton Towers. All of these survive, but we will also revisit some lost houses like Fonthill, Bayons Manor and Eaton Hall.
Mr Mitchell now lectures for the University of Liverpool and for adult residential colleges. He also organises and leads country house study tours and tries to find time for research at Chatsworth.