Whitstable Castle

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1789

Charles Pearson builds an octagonal tower as an office for his Copperas Company. He later adds to it to develop the Manor House.

1821

Charles Pearson Jnr inherits and extends the property. He has gardens laid out but is declared bankrupt after investing in the new Canterbury-Whitstable railway and building The Pearson’s Arms.

1835

Wynn Ellis, a wealthy London businessman, buys the property and begins to make the most significant structural changes in the Castle’s history.

1848

Major building work begins and develops the West wing, adding a Tower complete with bell and clock. The gardens are landscaped and lodges are built at the entrances to the property’s grounds. The building becomes known as “Tankerton Castle”.

1875

Susan Ellis, Wynn Ellis’ daughter, takes over The Castle on the death of her father.

1884

The property passes to Susan’s brother, The reverend Arthur Graystone.

1886

Sydney Wynn Graystone, a young student, becomes the Castle’s new owner.

1890

Tankerton Castle is sold to Charles Newton Robinson. Some of its land is sold off and a road is constructed through the grounds in 1896. The Tankerton Estate Company continues to struggle financially.

1897

Thomas Adams buys The Castle at a knock-down price of £ 3,250!

1920

Albert Mallandain, a Paper Manufacturer, buys The Castle along with a title of ‘Lord of The Manor’. The Castle is used as a summer residence, is well staffed and beautifully furnished with well kept grounds. Mallandain adds a new wing at the North end to include a billiard room and servants quarters. Throughout his ownership, he makes many other improvements.

1935

Whitstable Urban District Council buy The Castle and use it for their council meetings and office space. A flat-roofed extension (replacing the Orangery) is put in place, ruining the South aspect of The Castle.

1939-1945

The Castle is sandbagged and used as an Air Raid Precaution Centre (ARP).

1972

Whitstable County Council are absorbed into Canterbury City Council during a Local Government reorganisation. The building stands empty.

1975

The Castle Centre Association is formed as a Charitable Organisation to run The Castle (now known as Whitstable Castle)

2004

Roger Annable is appointed as The Castle’s Co-ordinator. He heads a small team in the task of significantly revitalising The Castle. Substantial financial investment is put into the building. The Castle aquires “Approved Venue Status” from Kent County Council to allow Civil Ceremonies to be held inside the building.

2005

First ever Civil Ceremony held at Whitstable Castle

2006

The Castle Team is extended to include more volunteers to handle ever-increasing business. Castle income increases dramatically. A Lottery Bid is applied for to enable The Castle & Grounds to be refurbished.

2007

Weddings take off and The Castle is increasingly in demand. More volunteers are taken on.

2008

The Lottery Bid is successful! Castle activity and income is at an unprecedented high. The Castle Pre-School move into their newly built premises in The Castle Grounds as Castle Staff move into their new offices. A new Castle Trust is created with the purpose of taking over the running of the Castle after the lottery refurbishment.