Castle Carr

Built for Captain Joseph Priestly Edwards, Castle Carr stood on a remote site above Luddenden Dean and the Calder Valley. Construction began on the mock Tudor / Norman castle in 1859, though it took eight years to compete. The architect is believed to be Thomas Risley.

Faintly ‘Hollywood Gothic’ in style. It had an oak panelled banqueting hall that was 62 feet long, with a sprung floor for dancing. It was adorned with animal trophies, and huge stone Talbot hounds feature throughout the house; standing either side of the vast stone fire place, and on a huge fountain outside. The fountain, rescued from a reclamation yard after the house was demolished now stands in a square in Leeds business quarter.

The most remarkable feature was the water gardens, designed by John Hogg, of Halifax. In addition to lakes, and fountains, it boasted a 130 feet high water jet.  The gardens are opened once annually for the letting off of the water jet.