 For the first half of the 18th century , the castle continued to deteriorate , with the Somerset family allowing their stewards to quarry stone from the castle for the repair of other estate buildings . One particular estate surveyor called Hopkins became known as the " Grand Dilapidator " , due to the number of chimneys , window frames and staircases he had removed from the castle . Henry Somerset , the 5th Duke , finally put an end to this practice in 1756 , and the castle became a tourist attraction , part of the popular Wye Tour . Seats , fences and bridges were installed , and first guidebook to the site was published in the early 19th century . The Great Hall was temporarily re @-@ roofed in the 1820s , when the castle was used for a " Grand Entertainment " by the Somersets , and in 1830 Jeffrey Wyattville was employed to reinstate the Grand Staircase . In 1938 Henry Somerset , the 10th Duke , gave Raglan Castle to the Commissioner of Works , and the castle became a permanent tourist attraction . 
