Stories Project

In 2024, we launched the Chiddingstone Castle Stories Project, the first stage of which aimed to capture memories about Denys Eyre Bower and the history of Chiddingstone Castle. We wanted to learn more about who Denys was as a person, his collections and displays, and how the castle was run. Through recorded interviews, we collected stories that can be shared with the local community and visitors to the castle, preserving them for the future.

David Beattie - Clip 1, 26.03.2024

So far as I can judge he was a somewhat romantic man. Romantic in his historical views and personal views; an artistic man, a great connoisseur and um perhaps you might even say, a lover of the exotic.

David Beattie - Clip 2, 26.03.2024

[In response to a question about whether Denys was buying and selling a lot of antiques] Oh yes, according to John Yeowell, he was indeed, and there was one example he gave me, that Bower would buy pictures, not so much because of their artistic quality but because of their subject, if he liked the subject he would buy it and on one occasion he, he bought a picture for £12, a portrait of a woman member of the Asquith family because he simply intended to use its frame to frame a mirror, but then he discovered, when he examined it, that it was a work by a very distinguished portrait painter of the time, I think his name, yes, Sir John Lavery. And so that was worth actually much more than he had paid for it. So, he had his successful moments.

Return to the main stories project page

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CASTLE, COLLECTIONS & TEA ROOM

The Castle, Tea Room and Gift Shop are open Thursday to Sunday from 12 March to 1 November 2026. Except when closed for private events.

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