Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle is a medieval fortress in Framlingham, Suffolk, built from local flint stone. Thirteen towers stand along a curtain wall enclosing a central courtyard, while a moat surrounds the site on several sides.

The first stone fortress arose in the 12th century under Roger Bigod, who replaced an earlier wooden structure with a stone enclosure. Later in the 16th century, the Dukes of Norfolk remodeled the upper sections of the towers to add ornamental chimneys and decorative features.

The name comes from the Old English settlement Frāmalingahām, meaning home of the people of Frāmela. The fortress served as a residence for centuries and later as a poorhouse before becoming a place visitors walk through and explore today.

Visitors can walk along the curtain wall and look out over the surrounding countryside from the towers, while the courtyard offers space to rest. Access to the towers involves stairs that can be steep and uneven, so sturdy footwear is helpful.

The tower tops were fitted with false chimneys in the 16th century to create the impression that the fortress remained permanently occupied. This architectural illusion aimed to deter potential attackers and demonstrate the owners' power, even though most rooms stood empty.