Best Castle in Hertfordshire, England - Map and Reviews

Berkhamsted Castle is one of England's most historically significant Norman fortifications, situated in the heart of the market town of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire. Managed by English Heritage, it stands as a remarkably well-preserved example of a motte-and-bailey castle, and its sheer age and historical pedigree set it apart from many other ruins of its kind. Though much of what visitors see today are earthworks and flint rubble rather than soaring towers, the site radiates a quiet and powerful sense of antiquity that rewards those who come with some knowledge of its long story. Entry is free, making it one of the more accessible heritage gems in the Home Counties. The castle's origins trace back to 1066, when William the Conqueror granted the land to his half-brother Robert of Mortain, who built the first fortification here shortly after the Norman Conquest. In fact, Berkhamsted has a direct and pivotal claim to the very birth of Norman England: it was here, just weeks after the Battle of Hastings, that the English nobility — including Earls Edwin and Morcar as well as Archbishop Stigand — formally surrendered to William, acknowledging him as king before his coronation at Westminster. Few places in England can claim to have witnessed so decisive a moment in the nation's history. The castle thus marks not just a military site but the symbolic birthplace of Norman rule in England. Over the following centuries, Berkhamsted Castle became a favoured royal possession, passing through the hands of some of the most powerful figures in medieval England. Thomas Becket held it as Chancellor, and it later became the seat of Richard, Earl of Cornwall, brother of Henry III, who transformed it into a palatial residence in the thirteenth century. Richard invested substantially in the castle's infrastructure, adding a double moat and elaborating the residential buildings. Edward, the Black Prince, was among those who held the castle in the fourteenth century, and Geoffrey Chaucer served as Clerk of Works here in the 1390s, overseeing its maintenance. By the Tudor period, however, the castle had fallen into disrepair, and it was never significantly rebuilt. Walking through the site today, the scale of the earthworks is immediately impressive, even if the stonework is fragmentary. The great motte — a substantial conical mound — rises steeply at the centre, and climbing it rewards visitors with a broad view across the surrounding countryside and town. The remnants of flint walls cling to the mound and extend across the bailey, interspersed with grassy stretches that are popular with dog walkers and picnickers. The double moat system, one of the most complete surviving examples of its kind in the country, traces the outer perimeter and gives a vivid sense of how formidable the original defences must have been. On a clear day, the atmosphere is peaceful and somewhat melancholy — birdsong fills the air, the nearby railway hums in the distance, and the town's rooftops peek over the ancient earthworks. The surrounding area is characterised by the attractive Hertfordshire countryside and the Chiltern Hills, with the Grand Union Canal running close by to the south and offering pleasant towpath walks. Berkhamsted town centre is just a short stroll from the castle and provides a good range of independent shops, cafés, and pubs. The High Street retains much of its historic character, and the Church of St Peter, which dates to the thirteenth century and has connections to the castle's history, is well worth visiting. The area sits within the Chilterns National Landscape, so walkers will find excellent trails radiating outward into rolling beech woodland. Getting to Berkhamsted is straightforward by train from London Euston, with journey times of around thirty-five minutes to forty minutes. The castle is a short walk from Berkhamsted railway station — less than five minutes on foot, making it one of the most conveniently located English Heritage sites in the country. There is a car park nearby in the town, and the A4251 passes close to the site. The castle grounds are open year-round during daylight hours and admission is free, though English Heritage members can make use of associated resources. The site is largely open grassland with uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is advisable, particularly after rain when the slopes can become slippery. One of the more unusual footnotes in the castle's history involves a daring raid in 1216, during the First Barons' War, when the French Prince Louis — invited to England by rebellious barons — besieged and captured the castle after just two weeks. The siege involved some of the most advanced military technology of the era, including trebuchets brought over from France. The castle was later returned to the English Crown, but the episode highlights how strategically important this seemingly quiet Hertfordshire market town once was to the fate of the English throne. Today it sits contentedly in its suburban setting, a deeply layered and undervisited treasure that speaks volumes to those who pause to listen.

Berkhamsted Castle is a located at Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire. The castle is a motte and bailey construction build originally in Norman times. The bailey is large with parts of the curtain wall still standing. The motte stands to one side with remains of the stone tower standing. The keep was a stone tower three storeys high. The castle is surrounded by two moats separated by an earth rampart. The ruins are open to visitors. Berkhamsted Castle was a royal castle for a long list of English monarchs and their families, including William the Conqueror, King John, through to Henry VIII who gave it in turn to three of his queens, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. Building of the castle started in 1066 by William the Conqueror who later passed the castle to Robert, Count of Mortain. During the reigns of Henry I and Henry II, the castle was in the hands of the Chancellors. In the 12th Century, Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England and later Archbishop of Canterbury lived in the castle. In early 1200s, King John added wing walls on the south side of the motte, and round towers along the curtain wall. King John gave the castle to his queen, Isabella of Angoulême, who lived there until 1216. In 1337, Edward III gave the castle to his son Edward, the Black Prince as part of the Duchy of Cornwall. Since then, the castle has been owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The castle gradually fell into disrepair in the 15rg century. The castle is now in the care of English Heritage. Berkhamsted Castle was an early motte & bailey castle built as a direct result of the Norman Conquest. Photo was taken from the top of the motte.