The remains of Christchurch Castle include parts of the mound-top keep, and more unusually the 12th-century riverside chamber block or ‘Constable’s House’. This very early example of domestic architecture includes a rare Norman chimney. The estuary on the W. end of Christchurch Bay receives the waters of two streams, the Stour and the Avon, both […]
Bishop's Waltham Palace
The ruins of a medieval palace (together with later additions) used by the Bishops and senior clergy of Winchester as they travelled through their diocese. Winchester was the richest diocese in England, and its properties were grandiose and extravagantly appointed. Much of what can be seen today is the work of William Wykeham, who was […]
Donnington Castle
The striking twin-towered 14th- century gatehouse of this castle, later the focus of a Civil War siege and battle, survives amid impressive earthworks. Donnington Castle, near Newbury, was formerly a place of importance, commanding as it did the London road to Bath and the W., and also the road between Newbury and Oxford. The date […]
Deddington Castle
An 11th century motte and bailey castle, with a bailey to the west of the motte, and a ditched enclosure to the east which contained 4 fishponds. The motte and its western bailey survive as earthworks whilst the eastern enclosure is visible as a cropmark. East of the town of that name, which lies near […]
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 […]