Upton Castle

The early history of Upton Castle is shrouded in mystery. Originally known as Ucceton, Ockendon, Octon, Oucheton or Openton the castle was built on a site of early Celtic Christian worship; the Christian burials in the area surrounding the Chapel are radio carbon dated by Time Team to 1010-1160. Time Team discovered evidence of an Apse, a typical feature of Norman Romanesque churches built in 12 th century. By 1188, the existence of chapel at Upton is noted by Gerald of Wales in his book.

In December 1789, the castle was bought for £7,000 by John Tasker Esq, a bachelor of the East India Company, Master Attendant of the Port of Bombay, who possibly built the walled garden. A wealthy man involved in mercantile activities, Tasker lent John Cambell of Stackpole Court, £10,000 by way of a mortgage in 1791. In 1800, upon the death of John Tasker, the estate devolved on his three nieces and eventually settled on Maria, a grand-niece who married firstly the Rev.Thomas Woods and, secondly, the Rev. William Evan, of Hook Norton.

In 1867, Sir Henry Halford Vaughan British historian and Regius professor of History at Oxford moved to Upton Castle, as tenant, with his wife Adeline Vaughn, aunt of Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf. While staying in Pembrokeshire, Virginia Woolf is rumored to have visited her aunt at Upton Castle, though there’s no written evidence. In January 1883 there was a fire at the castle (which was still occupied by Henry Halford Vaughan), attended by a fire crew from the 23rd Regiment, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The damage was confined to timbers, walls and chimney-piece.