Berkhamsted Castle (Hertfordshire)

Introduction

Berkhamsted Castle is a fine example of a motte and bailey castle, surrounded by a double ditch and two moats. The motte is 15 metres high. On the top the footings of a circular keep can be seen. After William the Conqueror was crowned King of England William granted the Manor and Honour of Berkhamsted to his half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain. Robert built the motte and bailey castle, a timber structure, at the bottom of a dry valley where there were springs to fill the moats. This site is maintained by English Heritage.

Open all year round at any reasonable time, except in Winter 10am - 4pm.

History to the present day

The original fortification dates from Saxon times. Work on the Norman structure was started in 1066 by William the Conqueror who later passed the castle to his half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain. In the 12th Century, the castle was home to Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England and later Archbishop of Canterbury. In the 14th Century, it became the residence of Edward, the Black Prince, and Geoffrey Chaucer was appointed Clerk to the Works. The castle has been owned by the Duchy of Cornwall since 1337.

 Access to the Castle is now from the southwest, but the main entrance was to the south, and would have been by a wooden drawbridge across the moat. On the north side are a number of earthen bastions which may have been extra defences built before the siege in 1216. Within the bailey are remains of a chapel and chamber.

Arrival information and how to find us

The Castle can be found next to the train station in the centre of Berkhamsted.