Sandgate Castle was one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts. Built in 1539 near Sandgate, Kent, its exposed location has led to much damage by storm tides. Converted to a Martello Tower in the early 1800s, it is now in private ownership, open by arrangement with the Castle Gallery antique shop. SANDGATE is another of the […]
Saltwood Castle
Privately owned and not open to the public. The castle is known as the site where the plot was hatched to assassinate Thomas Becket (1118-1170). More recently, it became the home of the art historian Lord Clark of Saltwood (1903-1983), then his son Alan Clark (1928-1999), a minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government, and the foremost […]
Rochester Castle
Strategically placed astride the London Road, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding. Its mighty Norman tower-keep of Kentish ragstone was built c. 1127 by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the encouragement of Henry I. Consisting of three floors above a […]
Queenborough Castle
Site of a castle built by Edward III in 1361-1377. It was intended for coastal defence and for the defence of the planned town to be built alongside it. It was also equipped as a Royal residence. Unconventional circular plan with 6 rounded towers projecting from an innner curtain wall. Concentric outer wall with defended […]
Lympne Castle
Lympne Castle is a beautiful 13th century, grade 1 listed building, set high on a hill overlooking the Romney Marshes. The Castle provides a perfect venue for wedding receptions, corporate events and private functions. This is the name given to the remains of some old buildings occupying the Roman castrum of Lemanis, or Lymne, that […]