Helen Sheppard (nee Gough) Monday, 14 February 2011 21:52
I remember the castle (more of a folly) in the grounds of Major Hague's manor house at Norman Hill. We lived at Kingsway in the 50s and 60s so could see it from our house. Me and my friends used to climb over the wall into the garden of the unoccupied house. There was one small room at the bottom and a spiral staircase which took you out onto the roof where we would look through the turrets at the view and imagine we were on a famous five adventure! I think the pond that was mentioned was in the field below the "castle" and was surrounded by trees. I seem to remember the house being on fire as part of its demolition probably in the 60s.

Dave Goldsmith Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:32
Thank you Helen, I thought I was going mad. No one else seems to remember the castle, it's got so many memories there. I've searched internet for old maps of the area and old photos of Dursley but no joy. I would just love to see a photo,
I used to play over there with Roger Hall, he lived in Kingsway.

Richard Hughes Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:40
Hi Dave, Is Roger a postman? If so it was him that told me about the pond and castle last month!

Dave Goldsmith Thursday, 17 February 2011 19:16
Richard Hughes, yes Roger is a postie. Do you know anything about the castle Dave?

Richard Hughes Thursday, 17 February 2011 20:17
Only what Roger told me, the estate belonged originally to Arthur Winterbotham (who built it). His daughter Emily married Hiram Hague and that's all I can find on the net. The castle was probably a garden feature to overlook Cam Mills (which belonged to the Winterbothams). When was it you used to play on the Castle? My Dad says he knows somebody that knows all about it and is going to find out for me.

Dave Goldsmith Thursday, 17 February 2011 21:03
I was about 13'ish when I used to play there, I am now 55. Do you remember the exact place it stood, someone somewhere must have a photo.

Richard Hughes Thursday, 17 February 2011 21:41
I will get my dad to find out more from his mate! According to David Evans (local historian) there's only one photo of the actual manor which I assume was in the garden that the castle stood in, but as you say somebody somewhere must have a photo, as the estate was built in 1888.

Richard Hughes Thursday, 17 February 2011 21:59
Just a thought, what was the castle made of? Was it red brick like the Manor House? I only ask because at the top of the orchard is much demolition rubble, mostly red brick!

Dave Goldsmith Friday, 18 February 2011 18:48
It was built from a light brown stone. I always thought it was a Norman look-out tower hence the name Norman Hill.

Richard Hughes Saturday, 19 February 2011 09:28
Speaking to a family member yesterday I found out that there was a cottage made of red brick that was possibly the gardener's who was said to work on the estate. Also it stood next to where the red brick and rubble is.

Dave Goldsmith Saturday, 19 February 2011 18:23
Richard, where exactly are you talking about?

Richard Hughes Saturday, 19 February 2011 19:53
At the top of the Orchard (bordering Norman Hill playing fields) by the bench next to a mounted map. Behind that in undergrowth is red brick brown stone and lots of masonry, it's on top of mounds and the mounds are I think more bricks and rubble. I looked today while walking the dog.

Richard Hughes Saturday, 19 February 2011 20:08
A bit further across where the undergrowth is trampled down you can walk across the back of the undergrowth and bricks are strewn all over the place. In fact there are bricks and slabs and stones across the field by the stream as well.

Richard Hughes Sunday, 20 February 2011 11:54
Coincidentally I bumped into Peter Hall today while walking the dog. He's the youngest of the Hall bro's who I used to hang around with in the mid to late 70's. I will try to get the info you require from my dad's friend! I used to have what I thought were dreams about a castle tower till I spoke to Roger so maybe they weren't.

Dave Goldsmith Sunday, 20 February 2011 17:58
Keep trying Richard I appreciate your help.

Andy (dursleyglos admin) Monday, 21 February 2011 21:53
Hi Helen, Dave and Richard. Thanks for all the discussion here. I've added a photo of Norman Hill House on the site forum which you may like to look at. You can get to the forum from my home page and then go to the Dursley Local History/Old Photographs topic. Click on the photo to see it in full. By the way the forum is better for ongoing discussions as you can add photos, etc. You will need to register to post though to prevent spam. I'd be interested in what you have to say about the photo. Thanks

Richard Sean Hughes Tuesday, 22 February 2011 09:32
Thanks for that Andy, (bigger than I thought). I assume the row of trees is the drive from the main road? Have you any info on the history of the site? I think you're right, that is the elusive castle top right of pic!

Richard Hughes Tuesday, 22 February 2011 11:28
Dave, I have spoken to Dad's friend, unfortunately she was too young to remember much detail, hope the pic helps! I'm still trying to work out which way the Estate was facing! Which of the two buildings (top right) was the tower? The round small one or the square one? I only ask as I've been informed the tower was round!

Dave Goldsmith Tuesday, 22 February 2011 20:06
Andy, you're a star. Yes the castle is top right. If you walk to the bottom left of playing field it's there right at the end of Parklands road. The old wall is still there, it's brown stone. Do you have any more photos and where did you get this one from?
Dave

Andy (dursleyglos admin) Tuesday, 22 February 2011 20:10
Hi Dave
I've just added another photo to the forum. I have 1000's of photos of old Dursley and Cam. Why don't you join the forum and we can continue this there. Cheers Andy

Dave Wednesday, 23 February 2011 19:47
Still trying to find out the age of the castle, was it built at the same time as the house or was it nothing to do with it. I always thought it was medieval.

Andy (dursleyglos admin) Wednesday, 23 February 2011 20:08
Could everyone add comments to the forum from now on please rather than this guestbook. The forum is intended for ongoing discussions and is easier to add to and administer. I will add more to the forum shortly. Thanks

Rich Thursday, 24 February 2011 17:32
Apparently the wall IS listed!!