See how Holbeche House Kingswinford changed between 1912 and 2023. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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## Holbeche House
In 1605, Holbeche House, then owned by Stephen Lyttelton, became the site of the Gunpowder Plotters' final stand. After the plot's failure, the conspirators sought refuge there, but on 8 November, the house was surrounded by a posse led by Richard Walsh, the Sheriff of Worcestershire. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the deaths of several plotters, including their leader, Robert Catesby. Bullet holes from the musket fire remain visible in the house's walls. (en.wikipedia.org)
Constructed around 1600, the house features a central block with three bays, two stories, an attic with dormer windows, and projecting side wings with Dutch gables. Some original wood panelling remains inside. In the early 19th century, new façades were added, and the house was later expanded. It was designated a Grade II* listed building in 1951. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the mid-20th century, the Pitt family owned the house, living there in splendour. Later, it became a private nursing home operated by Four Seasons Health Care. By 2022, the house was derelict and boarded up. Local residents campaigned for its preservation, but in 2023, the National Trust declined to take over its management. The house has been added to the Historic England Heritage At Risk Register. (spab.org.uk)
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