Inside Richard Hammond’s home town nestled in the West Midlands – and his £7million castle

Former and presenter has stayed close to his roots in his choice of home, having made a quaint life for himself and his family in Herefordshire.

Just a one-hour drive from Solihull, where he grew up, Richard lives with his family in the small market town of Ross-on-Wye with his family, including two daughters. The motor-obsessed TV star resides in a lavish £7million countryside .

Ross-on-Wye is a tucked away in south-eastern Herefordshire. Known for its stunning riverside views and unique architecture, the quaint spot is a haven for private, detached homes.

One of the area’s standout properties is Bollitree Castle, . The Grand Tour presenter purchased the castle in 2008 , a newspaper columnist.

After years of careful renovations on the listed building, the pair transformed it into a stunning family to enjoy with their daughters, Isabella, 24, and Willow, 22.

However, as with many divorces, the family is now beginning to map out the legal terms of their separation after the pair confirms it on social media. Richard shared on X, formerly Twitter: “A little update from us; this Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently.

“Our marriage is ending, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters. We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.”

According to reports, their enormous estate, worth more than £7 million, in the Herefordshire countryside will be the focal point of their divorce. Meanwhile, the average detached house in the area fetches an average of £372,024, according to Rightmove.

 

Speaking to Metro in April 2022, Richard revealed the unique history of his period home, including how it became a castle.

 He told the publication: “Well, it’s a very old house from the 1400s, but in the 1700s, the man who lived there was trying to persuade a Spanish woman to marry him.

Richard continued: “She said she’d only live in England if it was in a castle so he took the castle down that was in the field next door and nailed it to his barn, turning it into a castle.”

He noted that the historical gargoyle statues that line the property “are authentic”, though they weren’t there when it was originally built.

When asked about living in such an extravagant home, he admitted, “Bits keep falling off, and it leaks.” Nevertheless, the motoring expert said it is also “quite romantic.”

Another notable feature of the property is the authentic-looking castle walls, which can be seen with crenels along the top.

While embracing the unspoiled greenery’s wrap-around views, Richard and Mindy previously added some extra living space to the already huge Herefordshire home. In 2020, they submitted plans to amend the ground-floor gym and spa and add en-suite bathrooms to the guest bedrooms.

The rustic property has also been updated with new blocks that act as workspaces for the 55-year-old Top Gear star.

The extra space has been used to store ride-on mowers, a tractor, several cars and equipment for horse riding.

The modernised blocks are also used by the gardeners and other staff employed to maintain the 31-acre estate.

While the castle offers privacy for the famous Hammond family, they are active in the local Ross-on-Wye community. Richard has previously been given the honour of switching on the town’s festive lights in front of the Market House.

During the event, the father-of-two said: “We’re very proud of this little town. I’ve probably bumped into most of you in the street before, or more likely in Morrisons!”