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Christchurch Castle today

England · Ruin

Christchurch Castle

Christchurch Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in Christchurch, Dorset, with stone work dating from the 12th century. The site includes the surviving remains of a medieval keep (great tower) and the adjacent 12th-century Constable's House; the castle and house are Grade I listed and managed by English Heritage. The castle was partially demolished (slighted) in the 17th century and today survives as ruins on a raised motte above the River Avon crossing.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1300

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1300

What Christchurch Castle looked like in its prime.

A dominant stone great tower (keep) rises from a grassy motte, linked to lower curtain walls that surround an open bailey; masonry is coarse rubble and ashlar with small window openings. The adjacent two-storey Constable's House is a rectangular Norman domestic block built of Purbeck stone with slit windows at ground level, an external stair to the upper hall, and a projecting garderobe tower over the mill stream. A broad ditch/rectangular moat surrounds the bailey.

Its story

The story of Christchurch Castle.

Christchurch Castle is a Norman motte and bailey raised inside the old Saxon burh, dominating the lowest crossing of the River Avon. Henry I granted it as the caput of a feudal barony to his cousin Richard de Redvers, feudal baron of Plympton, who died in 1107; the earliest stonework has been dated to about 1160, when the adjacent Constable's House, a rare and notable example of a Norman domestic dwelling, was also built.

In the Civil War the Royalists were unable to take the castle, and Oliver Cromwell, fearing so powerful a stronghold, ordered it slighted in 1652. Parts of the keep and much of the Constable's House still stand; the ditch has been filled in, the bailey is now home to a bowling green and gardens, and the Grade I listed site is managed by English Heritage.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1300.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Christchurch Castle, including 2 interiors: constable's house, upper hall, constable's house, ground-floor storeroom. 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 the River Avon crossingBase of the great tower on the motteInterior of the bailey, looking toward the Constable's HouseConstable's House, upper hallConstable's House, ground-floor storeroomGarderobe tower projecting over the mill streamEdge of the rectangular moat and ditch

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1300, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Christchurch Castle.

The families that held Christchurch Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • de Redvers

    Granted by Henry I as the head of a feudal barony to his cousin Richard de Redvers (died 1107).

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Christchurch Castle.

Dean Court, EnglandStadiumDean Court4 km awayBrownsea Island, EnglandMuseumBrownsea Island15 km awaySt Mary's Stadium, EnglandStadiumSt Mary's Stadium33 km away

Questions about Christchurch Castle

What is the history of Christchurch Castle?

Christchurch Castle was a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress raised inside the old Saxon burh, with earliest stonework dating from the 12th century. Henry I granted it to his cousin Richard de Redvers as the caput of a feudal barony. During the Civil War, the Royalists failed to take it, and Oliver Cromwell ordered it slighted in 1652.

What is inside Christchurch Castle?

Christchurch Castle contains the remains of its great tower and the adjacent Constable's House, including an upper hall and a ground-floor storeroom. The Constable's House has four slit windows at ground level, an external stair to the upper hall, and a garderobe tower extending over the mill stream. Much of its stonework survives, including a Norman chimney.

Who owns Christchurch Castle?

Christchurch Castle is owned by English Heritage. English Heritage also manages the site. Both the castle and Constable's House are Grade I listed buildings.

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

Christchurch Castle was built as a strategic defensive fortress controlling the lowest crossing of the River Avon. The Norman castle also controlled the harbour and inland access via the Rivers Avon and Stour, and served as a base for enforcing the New Forest Laws. Its defences were intended to subdue the local populace as well as resist outside threats.

Where is Christchurch Castle?

Christchurch Castle is in Christchurch, Dorset, in England. It stands above the River Avon crossing, on the site of the old Saxon burh. The castle is located within Christchurch.

When was Christchurch Castle built?

Christchurch Castle was built in phases, with its earliest stonework dating from the 12th century, around 1160. The adjacent Constable's House was also built around 1160. A great tower was probably added around 1300.

Was Christchurch Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Christchurch Castle was attacked during the Civil War of 1642–1651. Parliamentarian forces took control of the castle in 1644, but the Royalists then besieged it for three days and were unable to capture it. Oliver Cromwell subsequently ordered the castle to be slighted in 1652.

Which family or clan held Christchurch Castle?

Christchurch Castle was held as the head of a feudal barony by the de Redvers family. Henry I granted it to his cousin Richard de Redvers, who died in 1107. Richard de Redvers was the feudal baron of Plympton.

What did Christchurch Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Christchurch Castle had a dominant stone great tower rising from a grassy motte, linked to lower curtain walls around an open bailey. The masonry was coarse rubble and ashlar, with small window openings, and a broad rectangular moat and ditch surrounded the bailey. The adjacent Constable's House was a two-storey rectangular Norman block built of Purbeck stone.

Is Christchurch Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Christchurch Castle is a ruin today, with parts of the keep and much of the Constable's House still standing. The castle was partially demolished, or slighted, in the 17th century. The ditch has been filled in, while the bailey now contains a bowling green and gardens.

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