Castles in England - D-G

Dartmouth, Devon Location map Dartmouth Castle Situated at the head of the River Dart across from the town of Dartmouth is Dartmouth Castle. The castle was begun in 1388 and not finished until about 1403. Only one round tower survives, with a section of wall and a deep moat. Castle Road, Dartmouth, Devon, England, TQ6 0JH Location: 1 m SE Dartmouth, off B3205 Website: Dartmouth Castle Phone: 01803 833 588 Fax: 01803 834 445 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Deal, Kent Location map Deal Castle Severe concentric semi-circular towers rise up like a flattened stone wedding cake at Deal, one of Henry VIII's string of coastal castles built against the threat of a French invasion. Built to take advantage of the new super-weapon, cannons, with fully 119 gun positions. Victoria Road, Deal, Kent, England, CT14 7BA Location: SE of town centre Website: Deal Castle Phone: 01304 372 762 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Deddington, Oxfordshire Deddington Castle There are no grim ramparts on display here; Deddington Castle has is little more than a raised mound of turf and an extensive (8 acres) enclosure which now holds playing fields. The original castle here was built by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother to William the Coinqueror. Deddington, Oxfordshire, England, Location: S of B4031 Website: Deddington Castle Phone: 01424 775 705 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Devizes, Wiltshire Devizes Castle Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury built a Norman wooden pallisade castle here in 1080, but this burned down and was replaced in 1120 by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury. The castle was at the heart of 12th century civil war as rival claimants Queen Matilda and KIng Stephen vied for the throne, and Devizes was taken and retaken several times. Five centuries later the castle was besieged by Parliamentary forces several times and was finally taken by Cromwell. Parliament ordered the castle to be slighted, and all that remains today is the mound with visible foundations. A later mock castle was built but this has been turned into private flats and canot be visited. Devizes, Wiltshire, England, Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Newbury, Berkshire Donnington Castle A twin-towered gateway stands at the entrance to this 14th century stronghold. Sadly, the remainder of Donnington Castle is little morre than earthworks, but the gatehouse is still very striking and well worth a visit. The castle was built by Richard Abberbury the Elder, and was later the home of Thomas Chaucer, son of poet Geoffrey Chaucer. It was besieged several times by Parliamentary troops duing the English Civil War, but never taken. Newbury, Berkshire, England, Location: 1 m N Newbury off B4494 Website: Donnington Castle Phone: 01424 775 705 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Dover, Kent Location map Dover Castle Begun in 1066, but largely a product of Henry II's expansion in 1170. In the 13th century King John ordered the building of underground tunnels connected to sallyports in order to surprise attacking troops. These tunnels were later used as a military command centre during WWII (see the extensive reconstructions). Within the castle grounds stand a Roman lighthouse and a Saxon church. Dover, Kent, England, CT16 1HU Website: Dover Castle Phone: 01304 211 067 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Durham, County Durham Location map Durham Castle Built by William the Conqueror n 1072 during his ferocious "Harrying of the North" (i.e. putting down rebellions among the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of the North). Begun as a part of William's plan to pacify the north of his new realm, the castle is an excellent early example of the Norman "motte and bailey" style of fortification. Palace Green, Durham City, Durham, County Durham, England, DH1 3RW Website: Durham Castle Phone: 0191 374 3800 Fax: 0191 334 3801 University College, Durham University Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ledbury, Herefordshire Location map Eastnor Castle A grand mock castle begun in 1811 by the 2nd Lord Somers (later Earl Somers) to provide a home more suited to his elevated status as a peer of the realm. The interior furnishings are sumptuous, befitting the amazing decor. Eastnor is remarkable, if only to wonder at the ego that would demand its erection! Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, England, HR8 1RL Website: Eastnor Castle Email: enquiries@eastnorcastle.com Phone: +44 (0)1531 633160 Fax: +44 (0)1531 631776 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Egremont, Cumbria Egremont Castle The extensive ruins of a 12th century castle built on a hill above Egremont town, overlooking the River Ehen. The castle was built by William de Meschineson the ruins of an earlier Norman motte. The gatehouse is still impressive, and boasts some fascinating herringbone stonework. Egremont, Cumbria, England, Location: Located at the south end of Main Street, in the centre of Egremont. Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset Location map Farleigh Hungerford Castle Begun (illegally) by Sir Thomas Hungerford in 1370 as a simple rectangular building and curtain wall. Sir Walter Hungerford, Thomas' son, added an outer court and dry ditches in 1420. In 1518 Agnes Hungerford had her husband strangled and burned in the kitchen furnace. Ouch! Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset, England, BA3 6RS Location: 3 m W Trowbridge, on A366 Website: Farleigh Hungerford Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01225 754026 Fax: 01225 754026 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Farnham, Surrey Location map Farnham Castle Keep Motte and bailey castle built in the 12th century. Farnham was built by Bishop Henry de Blois in 1138, and served as the seat of the powerful Bishops of Winchester. Destroyed by Henry II in 1155, it was rebuilt in the late 12th century, only to be dismantle on the orders of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. Visitors can see the imposing towers, residential quarters, and two medieval chapels within the castle grounds. Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey, England, GU9 0AG Location: ½ mile N Farnham town centre on A287 Website: Farnham Castle Keep Phone: 01252 713 393 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Framlingham, Suffolk Location map Framlingham Castle 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, Suffolk, England, IP13 9SP Location: on B1116 Website: Framlingham Castle Phone: 01728 724189 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Location map Goodrich Castle Across the Wye from Simond's Yat, Goodrich is a romantic ruin built in the 13th century to a square design, with large rounded towers at the corners. Site of heavy action during the Civil War, when it was bombarded into submission to Parliamentary troops by "Roaring Meg", a huge cannon now on display at nearby Hereford Cathedral. Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England, HR9 6HY Location: 5 m S Ross-on-Wye, off A40 Website: Goodrich Castle Phone: 01600 890 538 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

 

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