Bampton Castle

Bampton Castle is a medieval fortification in Oxfordshire with the remains of a defensive gatehouse and surrounding wall that once enclosed the site. The fragments of stonework still visible today sit on gently raised ground and are now integrated into the landscape around the later Ham Court building.

The castle was built in 1314-1315 when King Edward II granted permission to his powerful favorite Aymer de Valence to construct it. Over the following centuries, the fortification gradually lost its military purpose and portions of it were eventually absorbed into the structure of the later Ham Court.

The castle once served as a statement of power and control by one of the king's most influential nobles in the region. Walking through the grounds, you can still sense how these medieval structures shaped the character of the settlement that grew around them.

The remains are located on open ground and are accessible during daylight hours without special arrangements. Visitors should wear comfortable footwear as the ground is uneven in places, allowing them to walk around and inspect the visible stonework from different angles.

Portions of the original castle walls were directly built into Ham Court rather than demolished, meaning medieval and later architecture literally merged into one structure. This hands-on reuse of the older stones allows visitors to trace the evolution of the site across different building periods.

Location: Bampton

GPS coordinates: 51.72540,-1.55304

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:02