IN this week’s trip Down Memory Lane, we take a look at Belmont Castle.

Around 1792 Zachariah Button built the county house in the gothic style.

The Button family had lived in Thurrock from at least the end of the 17th century. Zachariah was born in 1739 and he married Sarah Sawell around 1768.

He used his wealth to purchase one of Grays manors which gave him the right to be buried in Grays church.

This purchase also made him the owner of the land on which Belmont Castle was built.

From the south there was extensive views across the river to Kent. After Button’s death 1806 the house had a number of owners, but local chalk quarries moved closer to the house, making it less attractive as a residence.