Thought to have been built on the site of an old Roman city wall, white stone for the build was imported from Caen in Normandy with Gundulf, the Bishop of Rochester, under seeing the 20 – year construction. Initially built by Alan Rufus aka Alan the Red in the 1070s, Richmond Castle is one of the most complete examples of an early Norman castle made from stone. Today, visitors to the castle ruins can follow the castle’s history from Norman times onwards at the permanent exhibition centre. Strategically located beside London Road, this castle controlled an important crossing point on the River Medway, rebuilt twice it remained a viable castle right through until the 16th century. Today, Windsor Castle the oldest occupied castle in the world. It was used by the Knights Hospitaller throughout the medieval period and at one point housed up to 2,000 military men. Check out the best castles to visit in Durham. Built in 1067 by Robert of Mortain, the Berkhamsted Castle is the oldest castle in England. In 2013, an excavations and restoration program discovered a Scandinavian church and skeletons which are now displayed in the castle. Check here for more information. One of the first castles to be built after the Battle of Hastings, Lewes Castle was originally an earth and timber motte and bailey castle built by William de Warenne between 1068-1070. The later stone castle was constructed between 1070-1086 at a new site opposite Worth Gate, with a large stone keep finished in the reign of King Henry I which became 1 of 3 Royal Castles in Kent. Check out the best castles to visit in Yorkshire. Over the years, the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Year Established: 1180. Thought to have been built in 1068, following the capture of Exeter in the same year, Launceston Castle was initially built as an earth and timber castle by William the Conqueror’s half brother Robert, Count of Mortain. It’s hard to know exactly how old the Alcázar of Segovia in Spain is, but the first … Though the castle was extensively remodelled during the Middle Ages and today stands in ruin, visitors can still see the remains of the Norman chapel that stands within the inner bailey, the West door with chevron mouldings and circular nave the best remaining pieces of the chapel from Norman times. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War and then restored in the 18th and 19th centuries. Check here for more information. The Round Tower that we see today would have been the Norman Keep prior to 1170. Built in 880 AD, Prague Castle is located in the Czech Republic and holds the Guinness World Records title for largest castle at 70,000 square meters. Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world at 70,000 square meters. But some castles in Britain have far older roots. Built to control the area between Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, as well as access into Cornwall over the Polson ford, Launceston Castle was later rebuilt in stone by Richard, Earl of Cornwall at which point the motte was enlarged with outer gatehouses and a central round tower. How? Get caught up in the latest full episodes of BBC America shows. How to Pronounce the Longest Place Name in the U.K. WATCH: What’s Hot in Coffee? Many castles were owned by royal families or by wealthy people in society. It was initially occupied by archbishops of Canterbury before being turned over to the royal family. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images), Snapshot: 10 of the U.K.’s Oldest Castles Still Standing, 10 Reasons to Visit Wales: Zip-Lining, Surfing, Castles Galore and More, Snapshot: 10 Photos of Gorgeous British Castles, 10 Reasons to Visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, 10 Sets of Actors Who Have Coupled-Up On-Screen More Than Once. Lots of Gothic windows, turrets, and old world charm to be found here. Check here for more information. Check here for more information. It is one of the best-preserved castles in England after serving as a prison and a law court. This 800-year-old castle is best known for its connection to the legendary King … This browser is supported only in Windows 10 and above. Oxford Castle was later rebuilt from stone and expanded over the ages. The motte survives. These stunning structures have been through a lot, aged by battle and time; we give these 10 castles credit for standing strong: See More: Founded by nobleman Robert le Dispenser, the main steward of William the Conqueror, Tamworth Castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest, sometime around 1070, at the South-west corner of the prosperous Saxon town as an earth and timber motte and bailey castle. Belvoir was another one of the first wave of English castles built in 1067. Built upon the ruins of the Roman Temple of Claudius (Colchester being the first Roman capital of Britain), William the Conqueror ordered a stone castle to be built at this strategic location between East Anglia and London but there was a lack of local stone of high enough quality so the builders plundered Roman Colchester in order to build the great keep, the largest in England. It’s located in... 2. 2. Answered June 7, 2019. The Citadel of Aleppo is the oldest castle in the world, with some parts of the structure dating back to 3000 BC. The castle is fitted with an entry that is 88ft long and 68ft high. Located in East Sussex on a peninsula that existed at that time, Pevensey Castle was the first one in England that William the Conqueror erected after his arrival onto English soil on the 28th September 1066. The building of Rochester Castle was started in 1087 by Gundolf, Bishop of Rochester, one of William the Conqueror’s finest architects who went on to design the Tower of London. The castle was eventually neglected, but managed to escape heavy damage during the Syrian civil war in the early 21st century. WORK WITH US The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Where: Totnes, DevonOpen for visit: Yes. Built in 1460. The Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery houses a collection of art, archaeology, and national exhibitions. Its age means that many different building styles have been used throughout the years, including Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Where: Richmond, North YorkshireOpen for visit: Yes, check here for more information.