By Ferne Arfin
United Kingdom Travel Expert, about.com
All of English History in One Place
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People say the very English Porchester Castle encapsulates all of English history in one place. It's Anglo Saxon, within Roman walls, with Norman additions. It was captured by the French from King John, in 1215 during the Baron's Rebellion -- when they forced him to sign the Magna Carta. Richard II turned part of it into a palace in 1396 after the Hundred Years War with France. Henry V left for Agincourt from its ramparts. It housed troops during the English Civil War in the 17th century and prisoners of the Napoleonic wars.
What Should I Look For?
There's an Augustinian priory chapel built before the castle fell into Royal hands; 18th and 19th century graffitti from the French prisoners,as well as extensive archaeological finds from the Roman and Anglo Saxon era in a special exhibition.
Among the highlights:
The original Roman fort's outer bailey - with 16 of its original 20 D-shaped towers - is still pretty much intact, 1,700 years after it was built. The Roman fortification at Porchester is the most complete Roman fort north of the Alps.
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Several Saxon buildings and the remains of an Augustinian chapel have been excavated inside the walls.
The remains of Royal apartments, built for Richard II in 1390, line west and south sides of the inner bailey walls.
The 12th century, square Great Tower - with some of the most important rooms in the castle - stands 30 meters - that's nearly 100 feet - tall.
Henry V’s led his troops from Porchester to his victory at Agincourt in 1415. The castle remained garrisoned until the 17th century and continued as a jail for prisoners of war until the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
Tell Me, Why Am I interested?
If you are walking the South Down's Way and looking for a little break from your daily hikes -- or something to celebrate completing the challenge -- Porchester Castle is a fascinating glimpse of almost 2,000 years of English history. Easy to reach by train, bus or car, it's so close to stopovers around the middle stretch of the South Down's Way, that even a taxi ride is affordable. In 2016, during commemorations of the 950th anniversary of the Norman Conquest in 1066, it's a Norman castle worth visiting.
And the Facilities?
Interactive Audio tour with hearing loop and script available
Shop with gifts and snacks
Benches and picnic tables
Restrooms, including wheelchair suitable restrooms
Disabled visitors can drive on the gravel roadway inside castle
Dogs on leashes allowed.
Where Can I Find Out More?
English Heritage, a semi-governmental organisation, part supported by membership dues and visitors admission fees, protects and promotes England's historic heritage. Their interactivewebsite has more information about Porchester Castle as well as other historic properties and scheduled events all over England.
Castle Essentials:
Where Hampshire, England, PO16 9QW, UK
Telephone 011-44-(0)2392 378291
Access South of Porchester, off the A27; Porchester Rail Station one mile.
Open Every day except Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1;
Admission Adult ticket £5.80 in 2016.
United Kingdom Travel Expert, about.com
All of English History in One Place
[post_ads_2]
People say the very English Porchester Castle encapsulates all of English history in one place. It's Anglo Saxon, within Roman walls, with Norman additions. It was captured by the French from King John, in 1215 during the Baron's Rebellion -- when they forced him to sign the Magna Carta. Richard II turned part of it into a palace in 1396 after the Hundred Years War with France. Henry V left for Agincourt from its ramparts. It housed troops during the English Civil War in the 17th century and prisoners of the Napoleonic wars.
What Should I Look For?
There's an Augustinian priory chapel built before the castle fell into Royal hands; 18th and 19th century graffitti from the French prisoners,as well as extensive archaeological finds from the Roman and Anglo Saxon era in a special exhibition.
Among the highlights:
The original Roman fort's outer bailey - with 16 of its original 20 D-shaped towers - is still pretty much intact, 1,700 years after it was built. The Roman fortification at Porchester is the most complete Roman fort north of the Alps.
[post_ads_2]
Several Saxon buildings and the remains of an Augustinian chapel have been excavated inside the walls.
The remains of Royal apartments, built for Richard II in 1390, line west and south sides of the inner bailey walls.
The 12th century, square Great Tower - with some of the most important rooms in the castle - stands 30 meters - that's nearly 100 feet - tall.
Henry V’s led his troops from Porchester to his victory at Agincourt in 1415. The castle remained garrisoned until the 17th century and continued as a jail for prisoners of war until the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
Tell Me, Why Am I interested?
If you are walking the South Down's Way and looking for a little break from your daily hikes -- or something to celebrate completing the challenge -- Porchester Castle is a fascinating glimpse of almost 2,000 years of English history. Easy to reach by train, bus or car, it's so close to stopovers around the middle stretch of the South Down's Way, that even a taxi ride is affordable. In 2016, during commemorations of the 950th anniversary of the Norman Conquest in 1066, it's a Norman castle worth visiting.
And the Facilities?
Interactive Audio tour with hearing loop and script available
Shop with gifts and snacks
Benches and picnic tables
Restrooms, including wheelchair suitable restrooms
Disabled visitors can drive on the gravel roadway inside castle
Dogs on leashes allowed.
Where Can I Find Out More?
English Heritage, a semi-governmental organisation, part supported by membership dues and visitors admission fees, protects and promotes England's historic heritage. Their interactivewebsite has more information about Porchester Castle as well as other historic properties and scheduled events all over England.
Castle Essentials:
Where Hampshire, England, PO16 9QW, UK
Telephone 011-44-(0)2392 378291
Access South of Porchester, off the A27; Porchester Rail Station one mile.
Open Every day except Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1;
Admission Adult ticket £5.80 in 2016.
