Budby Castle.

 

In the graveyard of St John's Church, Perlethorpe, is the grave of William Scott, "Captain of the Mary", who died in 1756. Captain William had no doubt sailed a boat called “Mary” upon Thoresby Lake for Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd Duke of Kingston. He must have been a popular and respected member of the Duke's workforce because in 1756 the "castle" which was built in Budby to house the boat crews was named Castle William. This was the same year Charles (Meadows) Pierrepont, 1st Earl Manvers, came to Thoresby.

Castle William was designed by John Carr and records show that in 1816 Charles Herbert Pierrepont, 2nd Earl Manvers, still had a crew stationed there. This practice continued through to 1851 when Captain Percy was living there in charge of the boats. However, by that time it is likely that Evelyn's lavish collection had subsided into a practical "fleet" engaged more with fishing and maintenance than public display.

From the late 19th Century to the 1920's Castle William became increasingly referred to as Budby Castle, the ivy covered home to successive clerk of works for Thoresby Estate. Names include Thomas Wickford Potter in 1895, William C Orkney in 1900, Henry Hill in 1904, and William Arundel Bonner in 1922. It is not known exactly when such links to Thoresby Hall came to an end

Above: Lady Manvers made this quick water colour sketch at the west end of Thoresby Lake, looking south west. The silhouetted battlements of Budby Castle can be seen beneath the sun. The bridge, middle right, leading across to Thoresby, is captured by a simple stroke of the brush. One can imagine her standing there amidst the snow and ice.

Note: Budby Castle is now a private residence, standing on private property.