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Clare Castle

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

Remains of a Norman fortress, situated within the beautiful countryside setting of the Clare Castle Country Park. A motte and bailey castle was built by Richard Fitzgilbert, cousin of William the Conqueror, shortly after the Norman conquest. The manor was later taken over by Gilbert de Clare. The de Clare family replaced that first wooden castle with a stone keep in the 13th century, and it is the remains of the 13th century fortress atop the Norman 70 foot mound we can see today. Within the inner bailey is a Victorian era railway station built by the Great Eastern Railway.

The stone castle was built by the de Clare family, lords of the manor, who erected a shell keep and curtain wall. Parts of the keep remain, as does a short section of the wall, and part of the ramparts of the inner bailey.

The castle was in use as a residence until well into the 15th century. It was later taken by the crown, at which point it seems to have lapsed, and fallen into disrepair.

Clare Castle is within Clare Castle Country Park, a recreational area featuring nature trails and restored sections of the Clare railway.
Clare, East Anglia, Suffolk, England

About Clare Castle
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: Just off Malting Lane, in the centre of Clare
Location map
OS TL771452
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Clare Priory - 0.3 miles (Abbey) Clare Ancient House Museum - 0.4 miles (Museum) Clare, St Peter and St Paul - 0.4 miles (Church) Hedingham Castle - 5.9 miles (Castle) Melford Hall - 6 miles (Historic House) Kentwell Hall - 6 miles (Historic House) Gainsborough's House - 6 miles (Historic Property) Toddington Castle - 9.1 miles (Castle)

Nearest Towns and Villages Lavenham - 9.3 miles away Cambridge - 21.1 miles away Grantchester - 22 miles away Thetford - 24.5 miles away Ely - 26.2 miles away Elsworth - 30.4 miles away Diss - 31 miles away St Ives, Cambridgeshire - 33 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Clare Castle

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

The Creamery - 4.1 miles from Clare Castle Kedington, Suffolk Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £240

The Cottage at Rowans - 4.4 miles from Clare Castle Kedington, Suffolk Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £295

Lady Cottage - 9.3 miles from Clare Castle Lavenham, Suffolk Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £325

More Self Catering near Clare Castle

Nearest Hotels

The Bell - 0.1 miles from Clare Castle Clare, Suffolk Stay from: £55.00

The George - 2.3 miles from Clare Castle Cavendish, Suffolk Stay from: £55.00

The Plough Inn - 3.2 miles from Clare Castle Hundon, Suffolk Stay from: £70.00

More Hotels near Clare Castle

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Ship Stores - 0.3 miles from Clare Castle Clare, Suffolk From: £57.00

Sturmer Hall - 5.1 miles from Clare Castle Haverhill, Suffolk From: £125.00

The White Horse Inn - 7.9 miles from Clare Castle Withersfield, Suffolk From: £59.95

More bed and breakfasts near Clare Castle

Sudbury
Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall
Market Hill
Sudbury
Suffolk
England
CO10 1TL
Tel: 01787 881320
Fax: 01787 242129
Email: sudburytic@babergh.gov.uk
Web: http://www.babergh-south-suffolk.gov.uk/
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