Rockingham Castle (Rockingham)
Rockingham Castle is a dramatically sited castle, on the edge of an escarpment over the valley of the River Welland at Rockingham in Northamptonshire.
It dates from the Norman period, having been built by William the Conqueror, and remained a Royal residence for four and a half centuries, until in 1530 Henry VIII gave it to Edward Watson, in whose family`s hands it remains.
The castle has a massive gateway, and is a largely Tudor building within Norman walls. It has a collection of furniture and works of art from nearly every century.
Charles Dickens was a regular visitor, and based Chesney Wolds in "Bleak House" on Rockingham.
The castle has 18 acres of gardens. and the enormous 400 year old Elephant Hedge.
King John used Rockingham Castle as a hunting lodge.