Guy's Cliffe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guy's Cliffe (variously spelled with and without a hyphen and a final "e") is a country house in Warwickshire, England. It has been in a ruined state since the late 20th century.
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[edit] History
The site of Guy's Cliffe has been occupied since Saxon times and derives its name from the legendary Guy of Warwick. Guy is supposed to have retired to a hermitage on this site, this legend led to the founding of a chantry. The chantry was established 1423 the Chapel of St Mary Magdelene and the rock carved stables and storehouses still remain. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII the site passed into private hands. The house itself dates from 1751 and was started by Samuel Greatheed, a West India merchant and Member of Parliament for Coventry 1747-1761.
It was sold in 1947 with the intention of converting it into a hotel, but these plans came to nothing and the house fell into disrepair. In 1955 the house was purchased by Aldwyn Porter and the chapel leased to the Freemasons establishing a connection with the Masons that remains today. In 1992 during the filming of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a fire scene got out of control and seriously damaged the building, leading to an insurance claim. Largely as a result of this, English Heritage has given the building grade II listed status.
[edit] Points of interest
- The chapel still used for Masonic ceremonies contains a large statue depicting Guy of Warwick.
- Piers Gaveston a favourite of Edward II sought refuge and was apprehended here before his execution.
- It was used in a scene of the first Harry Potter film.
[edit] Gallery
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