Castles in England - (O - S)

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Odell, Bedfordshire Odell Castle What little remains of the castle at Odell stands beside the church on high ground above the village green. The castle was built by Walter Flandrensis, a Norman adherent of William the Conqueror. High Street, Odell, Bedfordshire, England, Location: in the centre of Odell, 7 miles NW of Bedford, between the A6 and the A509 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Okehampton, Devon Location map Okehampton Castle The ruins of what was once the largest castle in Devon now stand on a wooded outcropping above the River Okement. Norman motte and keep. Okehampton, Devon, England, EX20 1JB Location: 1 mile southwest of town centre Website: Okehampton Castle Phone: 01837 52844 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Old Sarum, Wiltshire Old Sarum Iron Age banks surround the original site of Salisbury, a few miles north of the curent city. Inside the earthworks are the foundations of a Norman castle and the first Salisbury cathedral. The castle ruins sits atop a striking motte, or mound, with a deep moat at the bottom. Old Sarum, Wiltshire, England, Location: Just north of Salisbury off the A345 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Orford, Suffolk Location map Orford Castle A 12th century keep and bailey. Henry II built Orford Castle between 1163-1175 in an attempt to counter the supremacy of powerful nobles in this area of Suffolk, and to act as a coastal dfence. Orford, Suffolk, England, IP12 2ND Location: In Orford, Suffolk, on B1084 Website: Orford Castle Phone: 01394 450472 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Oxford, Oxfordshire Location map Oxford Castle A very early motte and bailey castle built by Robert d'Oilly in 1071. The castle was for some time a royal residence, and also served as an administrative centre for the Sheriff of Oxford before becoming a gaol. In 1147 the Empress Maud occupied the castle against the troops of her cousin, King Stephen. Maud escaped from her enemies by being lowered from the tower and fleeing across the frozen Thames, as her white nightdress acted as camouflage against the backdrop of snow. Parliamentary troops destroyed Oxford Castle in the Civil War, but it remained in use as a gaol. Much of the castle has now been transformed into a multi-purpose civic area, but remains of the castle tower, gaol, and chapel crypt have been preserved. Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1AY Website: Oxford Castle Email: info@oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk Phone: 01865 260 666 Fax: 01865 260 667 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Falmouth, Cornwall Location map Pendennis Castle Part of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII along the south coast. Exhibit on Tudor battles and frequent medieval re-enactments. Falmouth, Cornwall, England, TR11 4LP Location: 1 m SE Falmouth on Pendennis Head Website: Pendennis Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01326 316 594 Fax: 01326 319 911 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pevensey , East Sussex Location map Pevensey Castle The Romans first built a castle on this site; later the Normans followed suit. Used for defenses during the Second World War. Pevensey , East Sussex, England, BN24 5LE Location: off A259 Website: Pevensey Castle Phone: 01323 762 604 Fax: 01323 762 604 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Castleton, Derbyshire Location map Peveril Castle The dramatic ruins of Peveril Castle perch on a high hill above the village of Castleton. The stronghold, formerly known as Peak Castle, was built by William Peveril around 1080. The castle is approached by a steep climb from Castleton village, through a 12th century gatehouse piercing a curtain wall. Castleton, Derbyshire, England, S33 8WQ Location: 15 miles W of Sheffield on the A6187 Website: Peveril Castle Phone: 01433 620 613 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pickering, Yorkshire Location map Pickering Castle Established by William the Conqueror, Pickering is interesting primarily because it has changed so little since it was first built. William's wooden motte and bailey was transformed into stone in the 13th century, but that was pretty much the end of the remodeling. A shell keep tops a high mound, surrounded by an inner and outer ward. Pickering, Yorkshire, England, YO18 7AX Location: 15 miles south west of Scarborough, on the A170. Two blocks up from the High Street off Castle Lane or Castle Street Website: Pickering Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01751 474989 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Portsmouth, Hampshire Portchester Castle There is a little bit of everything at Portchester Castle; the 9 acre site contains the most complete set of Roman walls in northern Europe, and also houses a Saxon fortress and a medieval royal palace. The original fortifications may have been built by Carausias, who rebelled against Roman rule in the year 285. In the medieval period Henry I added to the defenses, and Richard II built a series of domestic quarters, including a great hall and kitchens, all of which can be seen today. Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, Location: on S side of Portchester off A27, Junction 11 on M27 Website: Portchester Castle Phone: 02392 378 291 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Castletown, Dorset Location map Portland Castle Well-preserved coastal fortress built by Henry VIII. Tudor kitchen, views from the battlements. Audio and touch tours. Isle of Portland, Weymouth, Castletown, Dorset, England, DT5 1AZ Location: overlooking Portland Harbour, off A354 Website: Portland Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01305 820 539 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Staindrop, County Durham Location map Raby Castle One of the great castles of northern England, Raby is a huge 14th century fortress built by the powerful Neville family on an estate once owned by King Cnut. Raby has been inhabited by the Vane family - and a few ghosts! - for almost 400 years. Lovely gardens and a deer park surround the castle. Darlington, Staindrop, County Durham, England, DL2 3AH Location: off the A688, 2 miles north of Staindrop Website: Raby Castle Email: admin@rabycastle.com Phone: +44 (0)1833 660 202 Fax: +44 (0)1833 660 169 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lostwithiel, Cornwall Location map Restormel Castle A massive circular keep dominates this motte and bailey Norman castle, one of the most complete remaining examples in the West Country. Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, PL22 0BD Location: 1 m N Lostwithiel, off A390 Website: Restormel Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01208 872 687 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Richmond, Yorkshire Location map Richmond Castle A huge, stark castle overlooking the River Swale, at the entrance to Swaledale. The fortifications are massively built. Tower Street, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, DL10 4QW Website: Richmond Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01748 822493 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Rochester-upon-Medway, Kent Location map Rochester Castle One of the finest Norman keeps in England, Rochester Castle stands near the Cathedral, overlooking the River Medway. The keep is 113 feet high with walls as thick as 12 feet in places. The castle was built upon the site of an earlier Roman fort, and the keep uses building materials from the old Roman city walls. The Lodge, Medway, Rochester-upon-Medway, Kent, England, ME1 1SX Location: by Rochester Bridge, A2 Website: Rochester Castle Phone: 01634 402 276 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Portland, Dorset Rufus Castle A striking Norman Castle built on a rocky promintory overlooking Church Ope Cove on the Isle of Portland. The best views of Rufus Castle are from the shore of Church Ope Cove or the small ledge that houses the remains of 12th century St Andrew's Church, halfway down the cliffs. Access by a steep stair from the castle viewing platform. Portland, Dorset, England, Location: Walking access via Church Ope Road, off Wakeham Street, Portland. There is parking in a free lot just south of Church Ope Road. Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Scarborough, Yorkshire Location map Scarborough Castle 300 foot high ruins atop a headland. The site was alternately fortified by Romans, Saxons, and Vikings before Henry II built the castle you can see today. Castle Road, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, YO11 1HY Website: Scarborough Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01723 371 451 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lamberhurst, Kent Location map Scotney Castle So you say you love gardens AND castles, but you don't have enough time to visit both? Try Scotney, one of the best gardens in England, built around the ruins of a 14th century moated castle. Tunbridge Wells, Lamberhurst, Kent, England, TN3 8JN Location: 1 m S Lamberhurst, off A21 Website: Scotney Castle Email: scotneycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01892 893 868 Fax: 01892 890 110 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Sherborne, Dorset Location map Sherborne Old Castle Besieged for eleven days by Cromwell's forces in 1645, the 12th century stronghold finally fell and was never rebuilt. Castleton, Sherborne, Dorset, England, DT9 3SA Location: half mile east of Sherborne, off the B3145 Website: Sherborne Old Castle Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01935 812 730 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Shrewsbury, Shropshire Location map Shrewsbury Castle Ruins of the Norman castle familiar to readers of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries. Castle Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, SY1 2AT Website: Shrewsbury Castle Email: museums@shrewsbury.gov.uk Phone: 01743 358516 Fax: 01743 358411 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Somerton Castle, Lincolnshire Somerton Castle The ruins of Somerton Castle stand 2 miles from Boothby Graffoe, south of Lincoln. The remains of two towers still stand, surrounded by a moat. One of the towers has been incorporated into an Elizabethan farmhouse. Somerton Castle's finest hour came in 1360, when King John of France, then a captive of Edward III, stayed here. Somerton Castle, Lincolnshire, England, Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Fowey, Cornwall St Catherines Castle A small, two story artillery fort built by Henry VIII in 1530 as one of a pair of forts designed to defend Fowey harbour. Fowey, Cornwall, England, Location: 1 mile SW Fowey along footpath off A3082 Website: St Catherines Castle Phone: 01179 750 700 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

St Mawes, Cornwall St Mawes Castle One of the finest of Henry VIII's coastal defenses, designed to defend the English coast from attack by Spain and France. St Mawes is a clover leaf design, and represented the most advanced military architecture of the time. The castle was not designed to defend against a land attack, and was easily taken by Parliamentary forces durin the Civil War. St Mawes, Cornwall, England, Location: on A3078 Website: St Mawes Castle Phone: 01326 270 526 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Marazion, Cornwall Location map St Michael's Mount What can you say? What a site, perched atop the craggy island rock! Beautiful causewayed approach, followed by a steep climb to the house itself. An odd mix of house, religious retreat, and fortified castle. A pilgrimage centre in the Middle Ages, converted first to a fortress, then to a house after the Civil War. Penzance, Marazion, Cornwall, England, TR17 0EF Location: approach via the causeway at low tide, or by ferry Website: St Michael's Mount Email: mail@stmichaelsmount.co.uk Phone: 01736 710 507 Fax: 01736 719 930 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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