Cambridge Castle lies in the grounds of Shire Hall on Castle Street, on what is the highest point in Cambridge. The strategic importance of this location overlooking the River Cam was recognised in pre-Roman times and successive Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements were established here. In 1068 William the Conqueror gave orders for a […]
Burwell Castle
Burwell Castle was begun in 1143 by King Stephen as part of a series of castles built to contain the rebellion of Geoffrey de Mandeville who had captured the Isle of Ely. Geoffrey was killed attacking Burwell Castle in 1144, rendering the castle unnecessary and it was left unfinished. The castle was excavated by T […]
Bourn Castle
An 11th century ringwork and bailey castle at Bourn Hall. The castle was built by Picot de Cambridge, the first Norman Sheriff of the shire. It is though to have burnt down in 1266 during a raid by Robert de Lisle. A few miles S. of Cambridge, where the Burne stream joins the Ouse, was […]
Baconsthorpe Castle
The extensive ruins of Baconsthorpe Castle, a moated and fortified 15th-century manor house, are a testament to the rise and fall of a prominent Norfolk family, the Heydons. Over 200 years, successive generations of this ambitious family built, then enlarged, and finally abandoned this castle. Sir John Heydon probably built the strong inner gatehouse during […]
Mileham Castle
Mileham Castle is a medieval motte and bailey castle. It is almost unique in its construction : the keep (substantial parts of the masonry of which survive) was built first, with the motte then built around it. Topographical variation across the site also gives rise to a diverse flora, including patches of chalk grassland and […]