The Cholmondeley Story
The Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon takes place in the beautiful grounds of Cholmondeley Castle, where the Cholmondeley family have resided since Norman times.
The romantic Gothic Castle was built between 1801 and 1830. It is the fourth Cholmondeley home on the Estate, replacing a moated Medieval Hall, an Elizabethan Manor and after the Civil War, a Stone Hall which was remodeled by Sir John Vanbrugh. The 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley designed the Castle, which was built between 1801 and 1804. In 1817, architect Sir Robert Smirke was engaged to transform the original Italianate style to the appearance of the Castle we see today. Adding the turrets on the east front he built the large round tower and left corner tower on the south side in 1819. There is extensive parkland covering 500 acres including two lakes, the larger of which, Deer Park Mere, is the setting for the swim section of the inaugural triathlon.
To the south of the castle, Tower Hill is the highest point of the run section. It is a beautiful part of the gardens with ornamental shrubs and trees within a woodland wilderness. Once at the top of the hill, runners will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Beeston and Peckforton Hills, which they will have just covered on the cycle section, with the Welsh Hills looming in the distance.
During World War II, the Czechoslovakia's army-in-exile, was encamped in the grounds of Cholmondeley Park in 1941. Here, the agents of the Czech-British Operation “Anthropoid” were recruited in May 1942. They went on to assassinate the top Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich, the chief of Reich Main Security Office, the "Protector of Bohemia and Moravia" and the chief planner of the Final Solution, the Nazi term for the genocide of the Jews during the Holocaust. In reprisal, Hitler ordered the SS and Gestapo to "wade in blood" throughout Bohemia to find Heydrich’s killers. Two years after Heydrich was killed, the Allies attempted one more assassination, this time targeting Hitler in Operation Foxley which failed. "Operation Anthropoid" remained the only successful assassination of a top-ranking Nazi.
Lady Cholmondeley together with her late husband, the 6th Marquess has played a huge part in restoring and developing the gardens, which are justifiably renowned for their romantic beauty. The gardens have been extensively replanted since the 1960s under Lady Cholmondeley’s direction and provide a lovely mix of height and colour. They also feature many beautiful specimen trees including Cedars of Lebanon, Oak, and Chestnut, all nestled amongst herbaceous borders, shrubberies, ponds, lakes and the beautiful Temple Garden.
Since 2008 Cholmondeley Castle has become synonymous with the Pageant of Power whose ambition has been to showcase the best of historic and contemporary automotive power, whether on Land, Sea or Air. Central to the action is the 3 mile circuit within the Park grounds of Cholmondeley Castle where over 150 racing cars and bikes compete, spanning seven decades of motorsports. This year’s event takes place on 17th and 18th July.
Lord Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess, himself is a direct descendant of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. He holds the hereditary Office of Lord Great Chamberlain, One of the Great Officers of State and is responsible for Royal affairs in the Palace of Westminster. On ceremonial occasions, including the State Opening of Parliament, the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Earl Marshal are responsible for meeting The Queen when she arrives at Parliament and ensuring her wellbeing while in Parliament.
The Lord Great Chamberlain has jurisdiction, entrusted by the Sovereign, for areas of the Palace of Westminster that are not administered by the House of Lords and House of Commons. These are primarily the Royal Robing Room and the Royal Gallery.
Please note that the castle is a private residence of the Cholmondeley family and is not open to the public.
