Corby Castle
Lot: 370 to 731 - 23rd Jan, 2026 9:30 GMT/BST
Lot: 732 to 1180 - 24th Jan, 2026 9:30 GMT/BST
Lots: 1139
An extensive collection of art, antiques and silver from Corby Castle, Cumbria, went under the hammer in a landmark three-day sale at The Auction Centre, Leyburn.
One of Cumbria’s most historically important mansion houses, grade I-listed Corby Castle sits on a plateau, rising above the picturesque River Eden to the east of Carlisle. The Manor of Corby was granted to Hubert de Vallibus by Henry II and passed to Andrew de Harcia, Earl of Carlisle before being given to Richard Salkeld in 1336. The estate remained in the hands of the Salkeld family until it was sold in 1611 to Lord William Howard, the third son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. The house is built around a red sandstone peel tower, or fortified tower house, built in the 13th century; William Howard added a two-storied L-shaped house to the peel tower, and the house was once again modified in the early 19th century by descendant Henry Howard. Between 1812 and 1814, Scottish architect Peter Nicholson gave the castle a new rectangular plan and the harmonious neo-classical façade in the distinctive local red sandstone that graces the building today. Corby Castle remained in the Howard family until 1994, when Lord and Lady Ballyedmond, as new owners, began an inspired revival of Corby, giving new life to one of the great Cumbrian mansions.
The sale comprises over 1,100 lots, ranging from period portraits and 17th century tapestries to decorative 19th century furniture and clocks, and one of the most extensive collections of silver to come onto the market in recent times. Lord and Lady Ballyedmond carefully restored and furnished Corby as a much-loved family retreat for grand entertaining, with style and elegance apparent throughout. The auction provides a unique opportunity for buyers at all levels to acquire exquisite and rare pieces from this outstanding property.
