Longford Castle is located on the banks of the Avon River in the Village of Bodenham in Wiltshire County, England. Sir Thomas Gorges built the castle in the late 16th century. The Elizabethan country house was constructed in a triangular plan with three ranges, three towers at each angle, and a double loggia, one of the first built in England. In 1641, the castle and property were purchased by Lord Coleraine. In 1717, the castle was purchased by Sir Edward des Bouveries and succeeded to his brother Jacob in 1736 and Jacob’s son William in 1761. William became the 1st Earl of Radnor in 1765. The Elizabethan castle has served as the seat of the Earl of Radnor family for nearly 300 years. The castle was reconstructed into a hexagonal palace in the 18th century by the 2nd Earl of Radnor. The ambitious project was abandoned partway through and wasn’t completed until the 4th Earl of Radnor finished it. Londford Castle sits on roughly 300 acres with two formal gardens, a stable block, a carriage house, an 18th century house, and other 19th and 20th century glasshouses and outbuildings. The castle has an extensive art collection, including works by Jan de Beer, Hans Holbein the Younger, and Sebastiano del Piombo, which are on loan to the National Gallery in London. Aerial shots of the castle were used in the Princess Diaries movies.
