Wallingford Castle, Medieval castle in Wallingford, England
Wallingford Castle is a Norman fortress near the River Thames in the town of Wallingford, England. The original structure featured a stone shell keep with walls and a surrounding curtain wall that enclosed the main courtyard.
A Norman commander built the fortress shortly after 1066 to control the Thames Valley and establish Norman authority in the region. The castle became one of the strongest royal strongholds and remained strategically important through the medieval period.
The castle served as a royal residence and holding place for important prisoners from noble families. Visitors can sense how central this location was to medieval power structures in the Thames Valley.
The ruins are accessible through a garden setting that incorporates parts of the original Norman earthwork defenses. Visitors should expect uneven ground and partially exposed foundations that help reveal the layout of different sections.
A medieval commander once operated a notorious prison within the walls whose inmates' cries reportedly reached the surrounding town. This grim facility gave the place a dark reputation that persisted in local stories.
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