An A-Z gazetteer for visitors.
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English Castles An A-Z gazetteer for visitors. |
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 Castles in England
Acton Burnell Castle
Acton Burnell, Shropshire, England The extensive remains of a fortified tower house built by Edward I's Lord Chancellor, Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells. The castle was built between 1284-1293, using local red sandstone. It replaced an earlier house on the site, where Burnell had been born. Burnell also built the Bishop's Palace at Wells, which is similar in design to Acton Burnell Castle. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: Open access site, signposted from Acton Burnell village. Located in the grounds of Concord College (Acton Burnell Hall) school. Website: Acton Burnell Castle English Heritage Location map Photos of Acton Burnell Castle OS Grid SJ533018 Heritage Rating:  ?
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick, Northumberland, England, NE66 1NQ Stronghold of the immensely powerful Percy family, built in 14th century on Norman foundations. This is a real castle, not a Victorian fake, but inside the severity turns to 18th and 19th century opulence. Solid marble staircase. Magnificent art collection, particularly 16th century Italian. Show rooms are incomparably sumptuous. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Website: Alnwick Castle Email: info@alnwickcastle.com Phone: 01665 510777 Fax: 01665 510876 Location map OS Grid NU187 135 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating:  ?
Appleby Castle
Appleby-in-Westmorland, Lake District, Cumbria, England Early 12th century fortifications later owned by Lady Anne de Clifford (see Brougham Castle). MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: In the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland Location map OS Grid NY686 197 Heritage Rating: ?
Arundel Castle
Arundel, West Sussex, England, BN18 9AB Home of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 600 years. The castle looks like a Gothic fairy tale. Well, it is, in a sense, but much of the "fairy tale" was created in the 19th century. The heart of Arundel is pure Norman, however, including the keep with the small chamber that was Queen Maud's first home when she made her bid for the throne of England. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Website: Arundel Castle Email: bryan.mcdonald@arundelcastle.org Phone: 01903 882 173 Fax: 01903 884 581 Location map OS Grid TQ019071 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating:  ?
Ashby-de-la-zouch Castle
South Street, Ashby-de-la-zouch, Leicestershire, England, LE65 1BR Largely ruins, this grim castle sits rather incongruously amid carefully manicured lawns. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: 12 m S Derby on A511 Website: Ashby-de-la-zouch Castle Phone: 01530 413 343 English Heritage Location map OS Grid SK359 166 Photo Credit: Mat Fascione, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence Heritage Rating: ?
Aydon Castle
Corbridge, Northumberland, England, NE45 5PJ A superb example of a late fortified 13th century manor house. Aydon Castle was constructed as a simple manor, but almost immediately fortified in the light of escalating conflict between Scots and English in modern Northumberland. The fortifications did not stop the Scots from sacking Aydon in 1315. The castle changed hands several times over subsequent years. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: On a minor road, off the B6321 1 mile north east of Corbridge Website: Aydon Castle Phone: 01434 632450 English Heritage Location map OS Grid NZ005665 Heritage Rating: ?
Baconsthorpe Castle
Baconsthorpe, Norfolk, England A moated 15th century manor house in a peaceful countryside setting. The fortified manor house was expanded and rebuilt several times over the course of two centuries by the Heydon family. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: Signposted from Baconsthorpe village. Pleny of on site parking. Open at any time. Website: Baconsthorpe Castle English Heritage Location map Photos of Baconsthorpe Castle OS Grid TG121382 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh, Northumberland, England, NE69 7DF A wonderfully situated castle, built atop an outcrop of basalt high above a sandy beach, looking out across the North Sea to the Farne Islands. There has been a castle on this spot since the 6th century, but the current building dates from the 12th century, though it was subsequently heavily restored by the first Lord Crewe in the 1750s and later by the first Lord Armstrong in the late Victorian period. The castle was … MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: In Bamburgh village. Free parking for 100 cars. Website: Bamburgh Castle Email: administrator@bamburghcastle.com Phone: 01668 214 515 Location map OS Grid NU173348 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham, England, DL12 8PR This imposing castle overlooking the River Tees was probably begun by Guy de Baliol about 1095. De Baliol's fortress consisted of a ring work, which is now the inner ward. The Baliol family owned the castle for two centuries and founded the town of the same name that surrounds the castle. In the early Middle Ages Barnard Castle was one of the astrongest and most imposing fortresses in the north of England. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: In the centre of Barnard Castle town. Well signposted. Lots of nearby parking. Website: Barnard Castle Phone: 01833 638212 English Heritage Location map Photos of Barnard Castle OS Grid NZ049164 Heritage Rating: ?
Bedford Castle
Bedford, Bedfordshire, England Bedford Castle, little more than an unrecognizable mound today, was first built as a motte in the 11th century, and later a shell keep was added, to be followed by a round tower with curtain walls. The castle acted as an important administrative centre, and several Sherrifs of Buckinghamshire - yes, Bucks, not Beds - used it as their official seat. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: off the High Street Website: Bedford Castle Location map OS Grid TL052 497 Photo Credit: Thomas Nugent, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence Heritage Rating:  ?
Text © David Ross and Britain Express |
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HISTORY CORNERName the Historic attractionBritish Heritage AwardsCelebrate the best of British Heritage in our annual British History QuizThis conflict between King John and his most powerful nobles resulted in the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 This Day in British History04 February, 1839 Opening of the Chartist National Convention The Chartist movement was a major force in the long, gradual road to social reform in Victorian England - a forerunner of the trade union movement Monarch Mayhem
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