This 12th Century motte-and-bailey castle was originally built by the Normans to assert their dominance over their Saxons predecessors.

A witness to history

It witnessed two significant conflicts: the 12th Century Stephen and Matilda disputes and the 17th century Civil Wars, during which it switched from Royalist to Roundhead control.

It was during the Civil War that the moat was re-excavated and cannons were placed on the keep. In 1651, Cromwell ordered its deliberate dismantlement to render it militarily useless.

Locals helped themselves to the building materials, and by the late 17th century the castle was a ruin.

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