Nunney Castle, Medieval castle in Nunney, United Kingdom
Nunney Castle is a medieval fortification in a Somerset village with a rectangular stone tower surrounded by four circular corner towers. The entire structure is encircled by a wide water-filled moat that once served as its main defense.
Sir John de la Mare built this fortification in 1373 after receiving approval from King Edward III, using wealth gained from the Hundred Years War. The castle was part of a period when wealthy nobles constructed defensive structures to protect their estates.
The design shows French influences common in medieval fortifications, visible in how the four corner towers and rectangular layout were arranged. People who visit notice how this style differs from later English castle designs that came afterwards.
Entry to the grounds is free during daylight hours, with parking available in the village near the entrance. Wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is uneven and the wide moat surrounds the entire site.
The surrounding moat has steep sides that drop about 54 feet deep, which made this fortification particularly formidable. Safety barriers were later added to protect visitors who lean over to examine the structure.
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