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Orford Castle

Orford Castle

Photo: Michael Garlick · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Location
Orford, Suffolk, England
Client / Owner
Henry II
Year
Completed 1173
Access
Tickets required
Style
—

Orford Castle in Suffolk was built for Henry II between 1165 and 1173, possibly by the master mason Alnoth. The article names no style but says the keep's unique design is probably based on Byzantine architecture.

The keep has a circular central tower about 90 feet (27 m) high with three rectangular clasping towers, and it is about 49 feet (15 m) wide. Caen limestone was used for carved detail, with local mudstone, coralline and Northamptonshire limestone. A chapel sits above the entrance. The curtain wall and gatehouse survive only as earthworks.

The castle was heavily garrisoned in the 1173 to 1174 revolt and captured by Prince Louis of France in 1216. It was a World War II radar site and is Grade I listed. English Heritage manages it, and Orford Museum has occupied the upper hall since 2005. The article gives no hours.

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