Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted Castle Trust is offering free guided tours of Berkhamsted Castle, led by an experienced volunteer from BCT.

This typical Norman motte-and-bailey castle was built originally as a timber structure by William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Robert of Mortain. It is considered to be the best remaining example of a motte-and-bailey castle in the country.

Begin your historical adventure today!

Additional Information

Max 18 people per tour/session. Tour takes approximately 90mins. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The nearest toilets are in the Water Lane car park (7 mins away). As well as guided tours there are information panels on display for all visitors, depicting the history of the Castle. Dogs are only allowed if on leads. There are some parking places close to castle entrance but several paying car parks in the vicinity.

Access

Wheelchair access to bailey. Pushchairs except for motte. There are some steep slopes and some paths can be slippery after rain. Young children should be supervised.

History

Located just 25 miles outside London, Berkhamsted Castle is steeped in over 960 years of history. It was here that the Anglo-Saxons surrendered to William, Duke of Normandy in December 1066, and he became “The Conqueror”. In later years, the castle was occupied variously by (amongst others) the Earls of Cornwall, Edward the Black Prince, Archbishop Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York (mother of Edward IV and Richard III, and who died at the castle in 1495). The castle was also given as a gift to the first three of Henry VIII’s wives. The castle site is now a scheduled ancient monument, and remains owned by HRH The Prince of Wales, in right of the Duchy of Cornwall.