“Broughton Castle … about the most beautiful castle in all England … for sheer loveliness of the combination of water, woods and picturesque buildings.” Sir Charles Oman in 1898 A fortified manor house, built in the early 14th century and extended and remodelled in the 15th, 16th and 18th centuries. Restored in the 19th and […]
Banbury Castle
Site of a castle, demolished in 1648 and now built over. Excavation in 1973-74 uncovered three phases. Firstly a castle, built circa 1125-36, of rectangular plan; remodelled to a concentric plan in the late 13th century and early 14th century. After the siege of 1644 bastions were added. A vanished castle, the site is now […]
Ham Court
Also known as Bampton Castle. The gatehouse and curtain wall of an early 14th century castle built for Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, who obtained a licence to crenellate in 1315. The castle was adapted into a dwelling in the 17th century, and was extended in the 18th and 19th centuries. Not open to […]
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill is a unique example of English Baroque architecture. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and the great Lake, offering a unforgettable […]