Clan Rising

Banbury Castle

Banbury Castle was a medieval castle that stood near the centre of the town of Banbury, Oxfordshire. Rebuilt in the mid-13th century into a distinctive five-sided concentric plan, it later served as a prison and was deliberately slighted in 1648. Nothing remains above ground today; the site is marked by Castle Street and was excavated in 1973–74.

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Its prime

1250

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1250

What Banbury Castle looked like in its prime.

At its prime (c.1250) Banbury Castle presented a compact, five-sided concentric layout: a continuous stone curtain forming a pentagon set on thick earthen embankments. The outer wall rose from the bank and included a projecting gatehouse on the townward side. Within the outer circuit lay an inner ward containing low timber-roofed domestic ranges whose roofs sat below the wallhead. The castle occupied a slight rise close to the town centre.

Its story

The story of Banbury Castle.

Banbury Castle stood near the centre of the town of Banbury, in the historian John Kenyon's words, "remarkable for its early concentric shape". Rebuilt in the mid-13th century to a distinctive five-sided concentric plan, it later served as a prison.

The castle was bought by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, in 1547, passed shortly afterwards to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who sold it to the Crown in 1551, and in 1595 was leased to Richard Fiennes, 7th Baron Saye and Sele. In the Civil War its royal governor, the 18-year-old William Compton, held out between July and October, when his brother James relieved the siege; the castle was deliberately slighted in 1648. Nothing remains above ground today. The site is marked by Castle Street and was excavated in 1973–74.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1250.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Banbury Castle, including 1 interior: prison cells (bishop's gaol). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Castle StreetExterior view of the pentagonal curtain wallGatehouse forecourtInner ward and courtyardPrison cells (bishop's gaol)Aerial overview of the concentric pentagon

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Banbury Castle.

Stowe House, EnglandMuseumStowe House22 km awayBlenheim Palace, EnglandPalaceBlenheim Palace25 km awaySt Martin's Church, Bladon, EnglandChurchSt Martin's Church, Bladon26 km away

Questions about Banbury Castle

What is the history of Banbury Castle?

Banbury Castle’s history spans its construction in the 12th century, strengthening in the early 13th century, and rebuilding into a concentric fortress between 1225 and 1250. It later served as a prison, changed hands before being sold to the Crown in 1551, and endured several Civil War sieges. Parliament slighted it in 1648, and the site was excavated in 1973–74.

What is inside Banbury Castle?

Banbury Castle contained prison cells used as the bishop’s gaol. By the second half of the 13th century, the bishops of Lincoln were using the castle as a prison, and the prison was later recreated in the 1580s for holding recusants. Nothing remains above ground today.

Why was Banbury Castle built, and what was it used for?

Banbury Castle was built as a fortified castle and was later used as a prison. Its rebuilt form had thick, embanked walls and a concentric pentagonal plan, while the bishops of Lincoln used it as a prison by the second half of the 13th century. Its prison use later included holding recusants in the 1580s.

Where is Banbury Castle?

Banbury Castle stood near the centre of Banbury, Oxfordshire. Its location is marked by Castle Street, in the town of Banbury. The site was excavated in 1973–74.

When was Banbury Castle built?

Banbury Castle was built in stages during the 12th and 13th centuries. Its first construction belongs to the 12th century, while its distinctive concentric rebuilding belongs to the mid-13th century, with archaeological evidence placing that work between 1225 and 1250. The first-raised year is not recorded.

Was Banbury Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Banbury Castle was besieged several times during the First English Civil War. Royalist forces forced its surrender after Edgehill in October 1642; it then held out against Parliamentarian forces from July to October 1644 until James Compton relieved the siege. A further siege began in January 1646, ending with surrender in May.

What did Banbury Castle look like in its prime?

At its prime around 1250, Banbury Castle had a compact, five-sided concentric layout. A continuous stone curtain wall formed a pentagon on thick earthen embankments, with a projecting gatehouse on the townward side. Inside was an inner ward with low timber-roofed domestic ranges whose roofs sat below the wallhead.

Is Banbury Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Banbury Castle was deliberately demolished in 1648, and nothing remains above ground today. Its former location is marked by Castle Street, while archaeological excavations took place in 1973–74. Stones from the castle were later used to build houses in the town.

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