Rockingham Castle, Grade I listed castle in Rockingham, England.
Rockingham Castle is a stone fortress situated on elevated ground in Northamptonshire, defined by twin D-shaped towers and panoramic views across the Welland Valley. The structure comprises various chambers, halls, and landscaped gardens designed for exploration by visitors.
William the Conqueror ordered construction of a wooden fortress in 1066, which underwent transformation into a stone structure over the following decades. This evolution reflected the shift from temporary military installations to permanent fortified residences across Norman England.
The castle inspired the fictional Chesney Wold estate in Charles Dickens' novel Bleak House, leaving a literary imprint on the property. This connection to literature remains a notable part of how visitors understand and experience the place today.
The grounds are accessible by car and gardens can be navigated via marked pathways. It is advisable to check opening days in advance, as the castle does not operate daily throughout the year.
The castle has been continuously inhabited for over 950 years, maintaining its original defensive position above the Welland Valley. This unbroken occupation makes it exceptionally rare among English fortified residences.
Location: Rockingham
Inception: 1000s
Address: Rockingham, Corby, LE16 8TH
Website: https://rockinghamcastle.com
GPS coordinates: 52.51290,-0.72400
Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22
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Church of St Leonard, Rockingham
124 m
Church of St Mary Magdalene
2.5 km
1, Church Close
2.3 km
Great Easton War Memorial Cross
2.4 km
Sondes Arms Public House And Attached Stables
432 m
Curtain Wall, Gates And Gatepiers Attached To And Approximately 50 Metres North And West Of Rockingham Castle
83 m
Number 17 And Attached Outbuilding
314 m
Village Stores
328 m
Number 1 And Attached Barn
604 m
31, A6003
501 m
8, A6003
410 m
Weldon House
2.4 km
21 And 22, A6003
289 m
8B, A6003
426 m
32 And 33, A6003
521 m
20, A6003
277 m
Threeways
2.3 km
6, Main Street
2.3 km
Castle Farmhouse And Castle Farm Cottage
590 m
1, The Green
2.2 km
10, Main Street
2.3 km
28, A6003
483 m
Number 2 And Attached Entrance To Number 4
2.5 km
Market Cross And Trough Approximately 8 Metres East Of The Sondes Arms Public House
407 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk
345 m
34, A6003
535 m
Wentworth Cottage
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