I know it’s sometimes difficult to believe, but there is actually more to our concrete jungle than cramped tubes, commuters, and well… concrete. Perched upon a hill in Greenwich is a secret spot, encased in ancient woodlands and actual fresh air. A gem so hidden that even some of the most seasoned Londoners have yet to discover it.
Towering over the city in all its tall, historic, gothic glory; Severndroog Castle is one of those places that looks like its jumped straight out the pages of a storybook. It boasts some impressive interiors and a super cute tearoom, but its at the top of a well-trodden set of steps that your breath will be taken away – more on that later, though.
The history of Severndroog Castle
The Grade II listed tower was built on one of the highest pieces of land in the city back in 1784 by Lady James of Eltham. Named after an Indian fortress that was raided and destroyed by her late husband, Sir William James; Severndroog Castle was decked out with ornate ceilings, detailed carvings, and fancy chandeliers by Lady James – a woman with expensive taste, by the look of it – and the rest is history.
The castle boasts quite an impressive CV, to be honest. It was written about as the ‘Tower of Mystery’ in a 1901 children’s novel by E. Nesbit. It also had a direct phone line to Whitehall installed during WWII, as the sheer height of the tower made for a pretty perfect lookout point. Despite being boarded up and left derelict until 2004, Severndroog remains an opulent spot. There’s one thing that was missed off its resume, though. Contrary to its name, Severndroog Castle isn’t actually a castle, at all. It’s as much of a castle as Dr Dre is a doctor and Professor Green is a professor. So, in a nutshell – it’s not. But you’ve got to fake it ’til you make it, right?
Credit: @severndroogcastle
Severndroog Castle is well-equipped for a decent day out in the city. The tearoom on the ground floor serves up a lovely selection of refreshments and the interior of the folly is well-worthy of a nosey round. But the main event is up on the roof, where you’ll feel – quite literally – on top of the world.
Sitting a casual 132 metres above sea level, the viewing platform is one of the highest spots in the Big Smoke and offers up a frankly gasp-inducing view. On a clear day, Severndroog commands vistas of a whopping seven counties, and with a decent pair of binoculars, you can supposedly see all the way to Windsor Castle. Let me tell you: if you’re ever in need of one of those ‘I’m so lucky to live here’ moments, this is the place to go.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your binoculars and dust off your walking boots, folks. It’s time to add Severndroog Castle to your i-know-a-little-place list.
Find out more about Severndroog Castle and plan your visit here.
đź“Ť Castlewood Drive, Shooters Hill, SE18 3RT.