Castles (2) : Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted castle dates from the 11th century and was a Norman motte and bailey castle built to help strengthen the grip of William the Conqueror on his new lands. The castle continued to be developed and expanded into the 14th century but in the 15th it fell into decline and later ruin.

The castle was nearly destroyed by the coming of the railways, the London-Birmingham line was originally intended to cut straight through the castle but was saved by becoming the first building to receive statutory protection in parliament in 1830.

Now the castle is a rather picturesque set of ruins located next to the railway station. No complete building survives though a number of walls fragments and the motte survive. You can see my photos taken at Berkhamsted castle here.