Castles in England - C

Clophill, Bedfordshire Cainhoe Castle The remains of a late 11th or early 12th century motte and bailey castle with three baileys! As far as we know the castle was occupied until the Black Death, which seems to have decimated the population of the castle and nearby village of Cainhoe. Clophill, Bedfordshire, England, Location: off the A507, accessible by footpath from the village of Clophill, 7 miles SE of Bedford Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Calshot, Hampshire Location map Calshot Castle One of Henry VIII's string of coastal defences, Calshot Castle was built in 1539 to protect the western entry to Southampton Water. The castle was badly damaged during the reign of Queen Elizabeth but was repaired at great cost and served as an artillery defence until the early 20th century. Fawley, Calshot, Hampshire, England, SO45 1BR Location: on spit 2 m SE Fawley off B3053 Website: Calshot Castle Phone: 02380 892 023 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Camber, East Sussex Location map Camber Castle The ruins of a mighty castle built by Henry VIII as part of his great coastal defenses. The sea, which used to lap at the foot of the castle walls, now lies over a mile distant, and the castle stands adrift and somewjhat lonely looking in a field. The castle is in need of repairs and may not be open to visitors for safety reasons, but you can still get a good view into the interior. Rye, Camber, East Sussex, England, TN31 7RS Location: off A259 1 mile South of Rye, 1 mile walk across fields Website: Camber Castle Phone: 01797 223 862 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Newport, Isle of Wight Location map Carisbrooke Castle and Museum A striking Norman castle atop a high hill above Newport. It was here that Charles I was imprisoned in 1647 before his final journey to London and death. Charles attempted to escape from the castle, and visitors today can see the narrow window where the unfortunate king became stuck. Newport, Isle of Wight, England, PO30 1XY Location: 1 m SW Newport, off B3401 Website: Carisbrooke Castle and Museum Phone: 01983 522 107 Fax: 01983 528 632 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Carlisle, Cumbria Location map Carlisle Castle Founded by William Rufus in 1092, site of Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment in 1568 (you can walk the "Lady's Walk" path in her footsteps). See carvings left by prisoners held at the castle. Great views from the top of the keep. Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA3 8UR Location: in Carlisle city centre Website: Carlisle Castle Phone: 01228 591 922 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kendal, Cumbria Castle Howe It is unusual that a small town can boast two castle, but Kendal is an exception. There are the 13th century ruins of Kendal Castle, and this, Castle Howe, an earthwork motte and bailey fortification dating from the Norman period. There is a small, treed mound, with a monument standing marking the location of the castle keep. Below is a small level area, or bailey. Castle Howe faces Kendal Castle a mile away across the River Kent. Beast Banks, Kendal, Cumbria, England, Location: Off Beast Banks, easily accessible on foot from the centre of Kendal Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Castle Rising, Norfolk Location map Castle Rising Castle 12th century castle with the oddly redundant name, built by Henry Albini to celebrate his marriage to the widow of Henry I. Beautifully preserved rectangular keep surrounded by 12 acres of earthwork defenses. King's Lynn, Castle Rising, Norfolk, England, PE31 6AH Location: 4 m NE King's Lynn, off A149 Website: Castle Rising Castle Phone: 01553 631330 Fax: 01553 631724 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Chalgrave, Bedfordshire Chalgrave Castle Meagre remains of a 12th century motte and bailey. The site has been the subject of several archaeological excavations in conjunction with the Bedfordshire Archaeology Council. Toddington, Chalgrave, Bedfordshire, England, Location: off Dunstable Road, Chalgrave, S of Toddington on the A1520 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Christchurch, Dorset Christchurch Castle These are the ruins of a Norman keep and the 1160 chamber block called "Constable's House." Christchurch, Dorset, England, Location: near the Priory Website: Christchurch Castle Phone: 01179 750 700 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Clifford, Herefordshire Clifford Castle Gatehouse, hall, and round towers are all that remain of the traditional birthplace of "Fair Rosamund" Clifford. Clifford, Herefordshire, England, Location: NE Hay-on-Wye, on B4350 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

York, Yorkshire Location map Cliffords Tower One of the few castles that isn't called "castle"! Built by William the Conqueror in 1086. A steep climb up to the castle. Interpretive panels and a reconstruction model on view. Tower Street, York, Yorkshire, England, YO1 9SA Website: Cliffords Tower Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01904 646 940 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Colchester, Essex Location map Colchester Castle Museum William the Conqueror chose Colchester to build the first - and largest - royal castle in stone. Construction began in 1076 on the ruins of a Roman temple to the Emperor Claudius, and remains of the temple can be seen today. The castle fell into disuse in the later medieval period, but was eventually restored and converted into a fine museum. 14 Ryegate Road, Colchester, Colchester, Essex, England, CO1 1YG Location: In Castle Park at the eastern end of the High Street, 5 min walk from bus and train. Website: Colchester Castle Museum Email: museums@colchester.gov.uk Phone: 01206 282 937 Fax: 01206 282 925 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Wareham, Dorset Location map Corfe Castle Wow! It is a ruin, but what a ruin! Soaring above Corfe village, the early Norman castle is quite an impressive sight. Built in the reign of William the Conqueror, the castle was heavily besieged in the Civil War and only fell when betrayed by some of the defenders. Heavily slighted by Parliamentary troops afterwards to produce the evocative site we see now. Wareham, Dorset, England, BH20 5EZ Location: 5 m NW Swanage, on A351 Website: Corfe Castle Email: corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01929 481 294 Fax: 01929 477 067 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

 

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