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England > Castles in England Castles in England Acton Burnell Castle - English Heritage.The red sandstone shell of a semi-fortified tower house, built in 1284-93 by Bishop Burnell, Edwards I's Lord Chancellor. Parliaments were twice held here, in 1283 and 1285 Area: 8 miles south of Shrewsbury Shropshire Alnwick Castle: A magnificent border fortress dating back to the 11th Century, restored by Robert Adam in the mid 19th century, riverside setting landscaped by Capability Brown. It is the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland, the Percy family, the largest landowners in the County, who have lived here since 1309. The Percy's organised many of the defences against Scots raiding parties in the days of the Border Reivers. Tel: +44 (0)1665 510777. Area: Alnwick Northumberland Web: Alnwick Castle Arundel Castle -The seat of The Dukes of Norfolk and set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the great treasure houses of England Area: Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB Web: Arundel Castle Bamburgh Castle - Stunning coastal castle on the site from which Angle Kings once ruled Northumbria. The present 11th century castle was a Norman stronghold which survived many sieges. During the Wars of the Roses it was the first castle in England to succumb to gunfire when it fell to the artillery of Edward IV. The castle was restored in the late 19th century by Lord Armstrong and now houses an excellent collection of arms and artwork as well as a tea room and gift shop. Superb coastal views overlook mile upon mile of silver sands towards the Farne Islands. Sir Thomas Mallory (d 1471), the author of "Le Morte D'Arthur" (one of the first histories of King Arthur), believed that Bamburgh Castle was the most likely site of Lancelot's castle "The Joyous Gard". Area: Bamburgh Northumberland Web: Bamburgh Castle Bolton Castle - A mediaeval fortress in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Built in 1399 by Richard le Scrope. Bolton has never been sold and remains in the private ownership of Lord Bolton. One of its most famous prisoners was Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned there for six months. Featured also in our Wensleydale page. Area: 6m west of Leyburn just off the A684 - North Yorkshire Web: Bolton Castle Bridgnorth Castle The remains of Bridgnoth Castle are set on a cliff by the side of the River Severn. the castle is little more than a ruin with only a 70 foot tall, 12th century Norman tower and some other small stonework built in the time of Henry II.Area: Beside River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire grid reference SO717927 Castle Howard is a beautiful 18th century palace sitting in 1,000 acres of gardens. You can explore Castle Howard at your own pace, and discover beautiful bedrooms, the grandeur of the Long Gallery and the ornate Chapel...friendly guides are located throughout the House, ready to tell stories of the house, family and collections. Once you've visited the House, explore 1,000 acres of beautiful, diverse gardens. Area: Castle Howard is located just 15 miles north east of York Web: Castle Howard Chirk Castle - National Trust. Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches.The last Edward I Welsh castle still lived in today. 700 years of history on one site. Award-winning gardens with thatched 'Hawk House', shrub garden, lime tree avenue and yew topiary. Area Chirk, Wrexham Shropshire LL14 5AF Tel: 01691 777701 National Trust Clun Castle - A ruined castle and is owned by the Duke of Norfolk (who also holds the title of Baron Clun). Clun castle was built in the motte and bailey style around the 1100’s by the Norman, Robert de Say. Area: Clun off A488, Shropshire English Heritage Dover Castle - See secret wartime tunnels built deep in the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent. Enjoy sights, sounds and Pathe news clips bringing the drama of its strategic role in WWII alive. Tour the underground hospital as you follow the story of a wounded wartime pilot. See one of Europe’s best-preserved Roman lighthouses. Visit the siege Experience of 1216 and find out what it may have been like to be a medieval soldier under siege... Accessible from the A258 Castle Hill and well signposted around the town. Area: Dover Kent English Heritage Durham Castle: Durham Castle was the official seat of the Prince Bishops until 1830. Originally a 'motte and bailey' Norman castle it was considerably extended and improved into a lavish residence. The Great Hall on the North side of the building was built around (1153-1195) followed by the building of the Great Hall on the West side by Bishop Anthony Bek (1283-1311 The Castle transferred to Durham University in 1836 and is still owned by the University, England's third oldest after Oxford and Cambridge. Area: Durham Co Durham Web: Durham Castle Hever Castle - Visit this thirteenth century romantic castle - once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Set in magnificent gardens from the majestic formal Italian Garden and topiary, to the informal meanderings of the lakeside and Sunday Walk. The Water Maze on Sixteen Acre Island and the Yew Maze challenges both adults and children alike! Area: Hever Nr Edenbridge Kent Web: Hever Castle Kenilworth Castle Kenilworth is most famously associated with Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth kept Dudley’s last letter to her in a casket by her bed until she died. View a copy of this letter, and explore Leicester’s gatehouse where Dudley courted his Queen. Area: Kenilworth Warwickshire English Heritage Leeds Castle - Leeds Castle, set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent, has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over 1000 years. Open all year round except for occasional day. For more information visit their web site. Area: Maidstone Kent ME17 1PL Web: Leeds Castle
Launceston Castle
Set on a large natural mound, Launceston Castle dominates
the surrounding landscape. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest, its
focus is an unusual keep consisting of a 13th-century round tower
built by Richard of Cornwall, inside an earlier circular shell-keep.
Within, the large central chamber is now reached via a dark
corridor. Area: in Launceston Cornwall PL15 7DR English Heritage Lindisfarne Castle - "Perched atop a rocky crag and accessible over a causeway at low tide only, the castle presents an exciting and alluring aspect." Don't forget to visit the Priory while in the village. Area: Holy Island Northumberland National Trust Ludlow Castle the finest of medieval ruined castles, The Castle, firstly a Norman Fortress and extended over the centuries to become a fortified Royal Palace, has ensured Ludlow's place in English history - originally built to hold back unconquered Welsh, passing through generations of the de Lacy and Mortimer families to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. It became Crown property in 1461 and remained a royal castle for the next 350 years, during which time the Council of the Marches was formed with responsibility for the Government of Wales and the border counties. Abandoned in 1689 the castle quickly fell into ruin, described as 'the very perfection of decay' by Daniel Defoe Area: Ludlow, Shropshire. SA8 1AY Web site: Ludlow Castle Middleham Castle - Middleham Castle was the childhood and favourite home of Richard III and was a fortress of the mighty Neville family. After Neville was killed in 1471 Richard married Anne Neville and made the castle his own seat. Around the 12thcentury they progressively constructed three ranges of luxurious chambers and lodgings, turning the castle into a fortified palace by the mid-15th century. Though roofless, many of these buildings survive, making Middleham a fascinating castle to explore. Here Richard spent part of his youth, in the guardianship of ‘Warwick the Kingmaker’. An exhibition about notable personalities from the castle’s past includes a replica of the beautiful Middleham Jewel, a 15th-century pendant decorated with a large sapphire found near the castle. See also Middleham Castle in Wensleydale. Area: Middleham North Yorkshire English Heritage Moreton Corbet Castle - English Heritage. The ruins of the medieval castle and Tudor manor house of the Corbets are dominated by the theatrical shell of an ambitious Elizabethan mansion wing in Italianate style, which was devastated during the Civil War. Fine Corbet monuments fill the adjacent church. Area: Moreton Cobet off B5063 north of Shrewsbury Shropshire English Heritage Restormel Castle - The great 13th-century circular shell-keep of Restormel still encloses the principal rooms of the castle in remarkably good condition. It stands on an earlier Norman mound surrounded by a deep dry ditch, atop a high spur beside the River Fowey. Twice visited by the Black Prince, it finally saw action during the Civil War in 1644. It commands fantastic views and is a favourite picnic spot Area: Lostwithiel Cornwall. Web site: English Heritage Richmond Castle - Breathtakingly sited on a rocky promontory above the River Swale, the great castle of Richmond is among the oldest Norman stone fortresses in Britain, begun in the decades after the Conquest. The towering keep, over 30 metres (100 feet) high and remarkably complete within, was added during the reign of Henry II in the 1170s: its roof provides splendid views over the clustered houses of the pretty market town. Traditionally King Arthur lies sleeping in a cavern beneath the castle: more certainly, conscientious objectors were imprisoned in the keep during World War I. Their story is told in an interactive display exploring Richmond’s nine centuries of development, and woven into the contemporary Cockpit Garden. Created to reflect the castle’s history and architecture, this tranquil haven of topiary, grasses and herbaceous borders has superb vistas over the river Swale Area: Richmond North Yorkshire Web: English Heritage
Ripley
Castle - The castle and gardens are open to the public all year round and
make a really interesting and entertaining day out. There is ample
free parking in the very pleasant car park at the southern edge of
the village, and from there it is a very short walk through the
market square to the castle entrance, which can be found in the
Castle Gift Shop. Toilet facilities (including disabled and baby
changing) are available at the car park and at the Gift Shop on
arrival.
Area: Ripley. 2m from Harrogate North Yorkshire Web: Ripley Castle Rochester Castle - Strategically placed astride the London Road, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding. Its mighty Norman tower-keep of Kentish ragstone was built c. 1127 by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the encouragement of Henry I. Area: Rochester Kent ME1 1SW English Heritage Rockingham Castle - This remarkable castle, built on the instruction of William the Conqueror. There are very few other homes that have been continuously occupied for nearly 1000 years and have had just two owners Area: Market Harborough. Leics. Sat Nav LE16 8TH Web site: Rockingham Castle Sherborne Castle Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, Sherborne Castle has been home of the Digby family since 1617. Set in 40 acres of glorious 'Capability' Brown landscaped gardens and grounds around his 50 acre lake, the Castle contains a splendid collection of art, furniture and porcelain. Area; Sherborne, Dorset Shrewsbury Castle The oldest parts of the Castle were built between 1066 and 1074, during the reign of William the Conqueror. There were additions over several centuries. Later, in the late 18th century, Thomas Telford remodelled the interior as a private house. The Castle was acquired by the Corporation of Shrewsbury in 1924 through the generosity of Shropshire Horticultural Society. The Castle houses the spectacular collections of the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust including pictures, uniforms, medals, weapons and other equipment from the 18th Century to the present day. Area: Shrewsbury, Shropshire Web site: Shrewsbury Castle Stokesay Castle - English Heritage The finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England. It offers visitors a unique glimpse into a distant age, when strength and elegance were combined. Set amid peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, Stokesay Castle forms an outstandingly picturesque group with its timber-framed gatehouse and the parish church. Lawrence of Ludlow, who made his fortune as a wool merchant and set up as a country gentleman, acquired the manor in 1281. Extensive recent tree-ring dating confirms that he had completed virtually the whole of the still-surviving buildings by 1291, the date of his ‘licence to crenellate’ from Edward I. Area: 7 miles NW Ludlow, Shropshire English Heritage Tintagel Castle - Awe inspiring location on a dramatic coastline - well suited to medieval mystery. Tintagel is a place of magic and myth where the legend of King Arthur was born. This historic spot is rich in flora and fauna and provides a breeding ground for sea birds, lizards and butterflies. Tintagel Castle is Cornwall’s most iconic site. A strong hold of the Earls of Cornwall, the castle was built in the 13th century. Now in ruins, it still has the power to inspire. Area: Tintagel Cornwall Web: English Heritage Warkworth Castle: Occupying a position close to the River Coquet in Northumberland, Warkworth Castle originated as a mid 12th century motte castle. Area: Warkworth, Northumberland NE65 0UJ English Heritage Warwick Castle - In the year 1264, the castle was built by the forces of Simon de Montfort, who consequently imprisoned the Earl of Warwick at that time. After passing through the hands of 20 more earls Warwick Castle became a member of the Treasure Houses of England... In 1978, Warwick Castle was sold to Tussauds who performed extensive restorations to the castle and grounds in addition to opening its gates to the public. In May 2007 Tussauds was purchased by Merlin Entertainments who continue to operate the castle on a lease. Area: Warwick Web site: Warwick Castle Whittington Castle is very picturesque, & situated in the heart of Whittington village. There are not many remains to Whittington Castle but the gatehouse towers are still standing near the clear water of the moat. Whittington Castle looks lovely when floodlit with the light reflected in the water of the moat. Area: Near Oswestry, North Wales SJ 3250 3110 Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle anywhere. It is one of three official residences of Her Majesty The Queen, the other two being Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Visitors can see five main areas of the castle. The site was chosen by William the Conqueror. Area: Windsor, Berks Web: Windsor Castle and other Royal residences
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