Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-framlingham-castle-suffolk"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/framlingham-castle/">Framlingham Castle</a>, Suffolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1004" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1.jpg" alt="Framlingham castle" class="wp-image-28462" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1-800x535.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1-1000x669.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1-400x268.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1-784x525.jpg 784w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll need a head for heights for this castle because the main attraction is a wall walk along the towering walls with stunning views across the Suffolk countryside. <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/suffolk/framlingham/">Framlingham</a> is one of the best castles in the country and there&#8217;s a lot of history to discover here (including the fact that Mary Tudor was crowned Queen of England here) and you can discover it all on the audio guide. It&#8217;s great for kids, with a summer explorer quest to complete, plus there&#8217;s a cafe, shop and dogs on leads can even join you. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle/">Orford Castle</a>, Suffolk</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="598" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle.jpg" alt="Orford castle" class="wp-image-17975" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle.jpg 598w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle-498x500.jpg 498w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/orford-castle-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px" /></figure>



<p>This jaunty little castle near the Suffolk coast is one of England&#8217;s most unusual and complete keeps. Because it is so intact you can explore everything from the basement right up to the roof, which has amazing views over Orford Ness. There are audio guides to tell you all about the royal history (it has been owned by everyone from Henry II and Richard I) and the keep also houses lots of ancient artefacts as part of Orford Museum. Oh and there&#8217;s a shop for kids to spend their pocket money on tat (we mean souvenirs) afterwards.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hedingham-castle-essex"><a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/visit">Hedingham Castle</a>, Essex </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="553" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle.jpg" alt="Hedingham Castle from the sky" class="wp-image-17979" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle-300x166.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle-720x398.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle-150x83.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This castle is an iconic medieval fortress in Essex and its Great Tower is a thing of beauty. There&#8217;s a lot to discover so you can make a day of it, with everything from dungeons and towers and castley nooks and crannies to discover, plus tree trails and wooded glades for picnics. Bit of a macabre royal link here &#8211; Matilda, wife of&nbsp;King Stephen, died at Castle Hedingham in 1152. In happier news you&#8217;ll want to keep an eye out for all the fun events that take place here throughout the year.<strong> </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-norwich-castle-norfolk"><a href="https://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk">Norwich Castle</a>, Norfolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle.jpg" alt="best castles - norwich" class="wp-image-17981" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re heading north for a shop up in Norwich make time for a stop at the city&#8217;s impressive castle, built by the Normans as a Royal Palace over 900 years ago. It&#8217;s currently undergoing a £13.5 million National Lottery-funded restoration project to transform the castle&#8217;s Norman Keep, but while that&#8217;s going on there&#8217;s still the museum and art gallery to explore with everything from Egyptian mummies to polar bears, beautiful artworks and ancient axes. There are also tours to be taken of the dungeons, keep, battlements and the Victorian courthouse. There&#8217;s a cafe and shop, or take a picnic. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-castle-rising-norfolk"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castle-rising-castle/">Castle Rising</a>, Norfolk </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="599" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising.jpg" alt="Castle rising from above" class="wp-image-17984" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising.jpg 599w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising-499x500.jpg 499w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/castle-rising-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /></figure>



<p>Norfolk is also home to Castle Rising, which as the name suggests is atop a very steep hill, that is perfect for rolling down (kids, not you!). It is one of the largest and best preserved medieval keeps in the country and is surrounded by 20 acres of amazing earthworks. You can go inside and see the lavishly decorated Great Hall as well as Queen Isabella&#8217;s apartments. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rockingham-castle-northants"><a href="https://www.rockinghamcastle.com">Rockingham Castle</a>, Northants </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/rockingham-castle.jpg" alt="Rockingham Castle " class="wp-image-17989" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/rockingham-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/rockingham-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/rockingham-castle-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/rockingham-castle-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This Norman castle was built under the instruction of William the Conqueror so you can imagine it&#8217;s steeped in history. It&#8217;s actually still a family house (nice for some!) and has been continuously occupied for over 1000 years so if in incredibly good nick. There&#8217;s a lovely tea room and the gardens are lovely to walk around, plus you can take a tour of the Servants Hall, The Street, Old Kitchen, The Great Hall, Naval Lobby, Panel Room and Long Gallery. <em> </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountfitchet-castle-essex"><a href="https://mountfitchetcastle.com">Mountfitchet Castle</a>, Essex </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="640" height="427" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Mountfitchet_Castle_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_188986.jpg" alt="Mountfitchet castle" class="wp-image-17987" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Mountfitchet_Castle_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_188986.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Mountfitchet_Castle_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_188986-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Mountfitchet_Castle_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_188986-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure>



<p>The kids will absolutely love visiting Mountfitchet near Stansted in Essex. It is the only medieval castle and Norman village reconstructed on its original site in the world and you can step back in time and feel exactly what life was like hundreds of years ago in Domesday England. There&#8217;s a whole village to explore, and you can go inside the little houses with their log fires and roaming livestock. There&#8217;s also a toy museum on site, which has the largest collection of toys in the world apparently.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berkhamsted-castle-herts"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berkhamsted-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted Castle</a>, Herts </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="612" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero.jpg" alt="Berkhamsted Castle" class="wp-image-32685" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero-800x340.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero-1000x425.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero-400x170.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero-900x383.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /></figure>



<p>Considering it was built during the Norman Conquest, way back in 1066, what remains of this timber motte-and-bailey castle is still pretty substantial (come on, use your imagination!) and a great option for a family walk peppered with history. The castle was kept in royal hands when it was whole and was occupied by key figures such as Thomas Becket, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and the Black Prince. The heritage site is open to visitors from 10am – 6pm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leeds-castle-kent"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.leeds-castle.com/" target="_blank">Leeds Castle</a>, Kent&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="527" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32681" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1-800x412.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1-1000x515.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1-400x206.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1-900x463.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Perched on an island in the middle of the River Len, five miles southeast of Maidstone, this castle has been described as the &#8220;loveliest castle in the world&#8221; and has a lot on offer for a jam-packed day including – deep breath – playgrounds, Birds of Prey Centre, mini golf, pretty gardens and restaurant. The royal history? The Castle became a royal palace for Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile in 1278, has been home to six medieval queens, and was owned by King Henry VIII.</p>


Fit for a king! The best local castles with royal connections

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