Deddington Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Deddington, England.
Deddington Castle is a ruined fortress in a small village in Oxfordshire with substantial earthen mounds and visible remains of ancient fortifications across its grounds. The site displays the typical layout of a Norman stronghold with pronounced defensive features shaped by centuries of settlement.
The fortress was established in the 11th century by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror, as a Norman stronghold. It served as a key military post within his Oxfordshire estates following the 1066 invasion.
Archaeological excavations between 1947 and 1979 uncovered Saxon artifacts, Norman architectural elements, and extensive pottery from the 11th to 13th centuries.
The ruins can be accessed from Castle Street where two pillars mark the entrance, and visitors can explore during daylight hours. The open grounds allow free movement and require no advance booking to walk around.
A field called The Fishers on the grounds preserves the location of an earlier castle fishpond, now functioning as an open space for local activities. This transformation reveals how the medieval site evolved into a community gathering place.
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