Little Virginia

image by James Turner

image by James Turner

image by James Turner

The old hamlet of Little Virginia sits close to the Castle, just off Castle Hill. It originally consisted of 15 cottages which date from the 17th Century, housing the masons & builders employed by Robert Dudley for works on the Castle. The claim to fame of these cottages is the tradition that the first potatoes brought to England were planted in Little Virginia by Sir Walter Raleigh – probably more myth than fact!

Look out for the  decorative “R” on the wall of Robsart Cottage, likely part of Robert Dudley’s initials and originally from stonework in the castle.

Please note these cottages are private property but can be viewed from Castle Hill.