Starlight Castle

Congratulations if you have managed to find this little gem tucked up on the bank of Holywell Dene near Seaton Sluice.

Although Starlight Castle may not be much to look at, the story behind it is much more intriguing.

The Seaton Sluice and Holwell Dene area were once owned by the wealthy Delaval family, who also owned the aptly named Seaton Delaval Hall, and were an extremely flamboyant and eccentric family. As such they were known as the Gay Delavals!

Now Sir Francis Blake Delaval was a bit of a womaniser and had a fair few mistresses. So to keep his adulterous behaviour hidden, he decided he needed to find somewhere to accommodate his latest paramour when she was due to visit. This was way back in 1750.

His amazing idea was to build a hidden castle somewhere within the Seaton Delaval Hall estate, away from prying eyes, but not far to travel.

As her arrival was imminent, his friend and actor Samuel Foote, reminded him that castles couldn't be built in a day. With Francis being a bit of a prankster and a gambling man, a wager of 100 guineas was made that he would be able to build a castle in a single day before the end of the month.

The bet was set and all the materials were put in place ready for the challenge. A team of builders then worked throughout the day and then under starlight to successfully create the castle in 24 hours just above the Dene!

Sir Francis had won the bet. Or had he? For this wasn't really a castle, but instead was a folly.  

The castle itself is a little tricky to find especially as the OS maps have it located incorrectly. The easiest way to get to it is to walk inland on the northern side of the sluice until you come to a big pipeline ahead. See image below. Don't worry if you are on the south side as there is a small wooden bridge near the pipeline.

Just before the pipeline is a well marked staircase (shown by the pink cross). Head up and then turn right to head back on yourself and within a minute or so you should have found Starlight Castle!

If you were wondering what the castle looked like originally, our new Fabulous North friend Billy Embleton has sent us this amazing photo. And according to Billy, it was actually called Stirling Castle back in the day and was lived in until 1828.