A late 12th century castle erected by Hugh Bigod, the powerful Earl of Suffolk. Bigod was one of the strongest opponents of King Stephen, who tried to buy his loyalty by granting him the earldom. Henry II seized Hugh's lands, including Bungay, but later returned them. Around 1163 Bigod started building a strong keep at Bungay, standing over 33 metres high (100 feet) and surrounded by walls 5-7 metres thick.
Castle Orchard,
Bungay,
Suffolk,
England
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.
Clare,
East Anglia,
Suffolk,
England
An 11th century motte and bailey castle with substantial 12th century curtain walls, Eye Castle was built by William Malet in 1186 atop an earlier Saxon mound that was probably the only high ground in north Suffolk. Eye Castle was attacked by Hugh Bigod, Earl of Suffolk, in 1173. The castle withstood Bigod's men, but was so badly damaged that it had to be rebuilt.
Castle Hill,
Eye,
Suffolk,
England
Externally perfect 12th century castle built by Hugh Bigod. Curtain wall with 13 towers survives intact. Mary Tudor waited here for news of Henry VIII's death. Castle has been a poorhouse, a prison, and a school.
Framlingham,
East Anglia,
Suffolk,
England,
IP13 9SP
A 12th century keep and bailey. Henry II built Orford Castle between 1163-1175 in an attempt to counter the supremacy of powerful nobles in this area of Suffolk, and to act as a coastal defence.
Orford,
East Anglia,
Suffolk,
England,
IP12 2ND
Hall. Sitting/dining room with sofa bed (for + 2). Steps down to well equipped kitchen. First floor: Double bedroom. Twin bedded room. Steps down to … more >> Sleeps 6
Hall. Sitting room with electric fire. Dining room. Well equipped kitchen. First floor: Double bedroom. Twin bedded room. Single bedroom. Shower room/WC. more >> Sleeps 5
A friendly welcome awaits you at the Rutland Arms where history combines with modern hospitality. With 46 en-suite bedrooms, an elegant restaurant and bar area, as well as the traditional cobbled courtyard, the Rutland Arms is the ideal base from which to explore Newmarket and the surrounding area. Located in … more >>
Days Inn Haverhill is a modern hotel superbly located to visit nearby Cambridge, Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds. The hotel is located on the edge of the town of Haverhill and is adjacent to a Harvester. The hotel offers 80 contemporary guest rooms all with luxury hypnos beds, power showers, … more >>
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