Image ID: 41271

Elston Towers( originally called Middleton House) - Principal west facade

Courtesy of Reg Baker

Fosse way (A46)
Elston
Nottinghamshire
England

The hall has had many uses over the years; a private house, an electronics and communications research centre, a maggot breeding factory, The Coeur De Lion Restaurant, and is now used as a health club. This is a photograph of the gateway onto the Fosse, which is no longer used, the current entrance being to the left on Elston Lane. It was originally called Middleton Towers and was built between 1872 and 1875 as a private house for one of Newark's most eccentric residents, Robert Middleton (1815-1877). He was the son of a successful Newark maltster, whose family home was in Lovers Lane. Upon inheriting the family fortune, he decided to build a house which incorporated a Baptist Chapel, which would allow him to follow what he considered to be his true calling of lay preaching, and which would allow worshippers to use his house almost as a place of pilgrimage. The home and chapel was built in an eclectic mixture of Tudor-Gothic-French styles, furnished lavishly and cost the huge sum (at that time) of andpound;30,000. It was designed by Mr Waugh and built by Edwin Hunter, with plumbing by Edward Bousfield. The Chapel could seat over 200 and was built over a huge tank used for baptismal immersions. (How many used the chapel or were baptised has never been recorded). The terrace to the front of the building was partly built of the old stone taken from Trent Bridge, which had recently been demolished. The house had a tower (now demolished) attached to the stable which housed a four faced steam clock which chimed the hours and also played hymns and popular melodies of the day. Sadly Robert Middleton could not enjoy his house and ministry for long as he died just two years after the building was completed.

Date: 31/05/1977

Organisation Reference: NCCE000291

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