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Rockingham Castle by grahamheywood
Rockingham Castle
Grade ii* listed Rockingham Castle is a historic fortress located in the village of Rockingham, Northamptonshire, overlooking the Welland Valley. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it served as a royal stronghold for nearly 450 years before passing into private ownership, making it one of the most well-preserved Norman castles in England.
The castle was strategically positioned to control a key route through the Midlands and was used by several medieval monarchs, including King John and Henry II, who held court there. Over time, its role as a military fortress diminished, and by the late 16th century, it was converted into a stately home by Sir Edward Watson. The Watson family, later known as the Saunderson family, still reside in the castle today.
The architecture of Rockingham Castle reflects its long history, with medieval stone walls, Tudor-style additions, and elegant gardens. Visitors can explore its Great Hall, kitchens, and medieval towers, each showcasing artefacts and period furnishings from different eras. The gardens, designed in part by Capability Brown, offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Rockingham Castle remains a popular visitor attraction, hosting guided tours, historical re-enactments, and seasonal events. It is also known for its links to Charles Dickens, who was a regular guest and based Chesney Wold in Bleak House on the castle. Today, it continues to be a well-preserved example of England’s medieval and Tudor heritage, offering a glimpse into over 900 years of history.
Rockingham Castle: History and Landscape
Rockingham Castle is a historic site featuring formal gardens and pleasure grounds dating from the 17th century and later. Set within a landscape park with medieval origins, the castle overlooks the Welland Valley and remains a significant architectural and historical landmark.
Built by William the Conqueror, Rockingham Castle served as a royal hunting lodge and administrative centre for Rockingham Forest until the 15th century, when it fell into disrepair. In 1544, Edward Watson (d. 1584) acquired a lease for the castle and park. Over the next four decades, he constructed a large house incorporating the medieval hall range, a project completed in 1631 by his grandson, Lewis Watson (d. 1653), who purchased the freehold in 1619.
During the English Civil War, the castle was occupied by Parliamentary forces under Colonel Horseman. The conflict resulted in extensive damage, including the destruction of the north and north-west wings, the curtain wall, and the keep, leaving only the drum towers and parts of the eastern wall intact. Restoration began under Edward Watson (d. 1689), who rebuilt parts of the castle and likely created terraces and a mount from the war ruins.
Rockingham Castle remained largely unchanged until 1836, when Richard Watson enlisted Anthony Salvin to refurbish the structure. Salvin added a three-storey tower, gabled extensions, and improved the internal layout with staircases and corridors. Richard’s son, George Watson, later added a square tower, but financial constraints limited further renovations. Today, the castle remains in private ownership.
Rockingham Castle is situated south of Rockingham village, adjacent to the A6003 Corby to Oakham road. While Corby’s northern outskirts lie just 1km away, the castle itself overlooks the rural expanse of the Welland Valley. The estate covers approximately 192 hectares, with boundaries formed by field edges and roads, including the A427 and B670.
The castle is accessed via three main routes: - North (Bottom) Lodge – A grade II-listed stone cottage, designed by Anthony Salvin c. 1840, with a drive leading uphill to the gatehouse. - South (Top) Lodge – Another grade II-listed lodge, also designed by Salvin, with a drive passing Home Farm and following the Hollow Drive, the former main road through Rockingham until 1618. - Keeper’s Lodge – A simpler cottage from c. 1850, accessed via a 200m lime avenue off the A427, connecting to an estate road.
Originally constructed as a motte-and-bailey fortress, Rockingham Castle features a twin-towered east gateway dating from the late 13th century, which remains the castle’s most visually striking medieval element. The hall and great parlour form part of the H-plan layout, with additional wings completing the structure. The site incorporates medieval fabric but primarily reflects the Tudor rebuilding by Edward Watson following his lease acquisition in 1544. Later modifications, including post-Civil War repairs and Salvin’s 19th-century renovations, further shaped the present-day structure.
The main courtyard, accessed via the 13th-century gatehouse, combines lawned areas with paths and parking. Two primary gardens extend along the west side of the castle: - The Terrace – A lawned area bordered by a broad path first mapped in 1815, offering panoramic views of the Welland Valley. A stone retaining wall (grade II*), restored post-Civil War, lines the terrace. - The Cross – A formal garden with lavender-lined rose beds, originally mapped in 1815 but possibly of 17th-century origin. A central sundial remains from early layouts.
- The Elephant Walk – An ancient double yew hedge, thought to date from the 1670s.
- The Rose Garden – A 30m circular garden within the remains of the medieval keep, enclosed by a clipped 2m yew hedge, with paths radiating symmetrically.
- The Tilting Ground – A 100m lawn in the former south bailey, bordered by tree-lined walks of limes and sycamores.
- The Grove – A wild garden in the valley below the castle, planted in the 1840s by Richard Watson, featuring ancient yews and small fishponds.
Rockingham Castle’s parkland extends across 192 hectares, with much of the land under pasture or arable cultivation. It lacks formal walls but includes tree belts along the A6003. The park has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, with documented enclosures, deer parks, and a rabbit warren visible in surviving pillow mounds.
- St Leonard’s Church – The parish church, located below the castle.
- Fish Ponds – Part of a historic valley system.
- Little Coppice – Site of a moated lodge, possibly constructed c. 1485.
- The Moat/Canal – A 300m long water feature of unknown date, present by 1615.
The park underwent significant landscaping in the 1820s, with extensive planting carried out in the winter of 1824. Deer were kept within the grounds until the 1930s.
A walled kitchen garden was constructed c. 1840, located south-west of the Tilting Ground. Its 80m square main section slopes downward, with a row of early 19th-century ironstone cottages at its north-east end. The garden includes glasshouses, rebuilt in the 1990s, though much of the interior was no longer cultivated by the late 20th century.
Rockingham Castle is a site of national historic importance, retaining elements of its Norman origins, Tudor-era rebuilding, and Victorian renovations. With its formal gardens, landscaped parkland, and well-preserved architecture, it continues to be a significant heritage attraction and a lasting symbol of England’s medieval and post-medieval history.
Created: 29 January 2025 Edited: 29 January 2025
Rockingham Castle Information
Rockingham Castle Address
Rockingham Castle Estate, Corby, Market Harborough LE16 8TH, UK
LE16 8TH
Website: http://www.rockinghamcastle.com/
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Rockingham Castle
There are some historic monuments around including:
Round barrow W of Pipewell Upper LodgeCistercian abbey and medieval settlement at PipewellLyddington Bedehouse: a medieval bishop's palace and post-medieval almshouse with moat, gardens, fishponds and cultivation remainsRoman road in Hazel WoodDeserted medieval village on A6003, SnelstonStanding cross on The Green, 130m north west of The Bede HouseMoated site 1km south west of Rockingham CastleRockingham Castle, shrunken medieval village, moat and warrens.