Hotels near Rockingham Castle
Brook Hotels have one hotel near Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire.
Whipper-In Hotel, Oakham
is approx. 12 miles from Rockingham Castle.
Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire
Rockingham Castle is an 11th century earthwork mote and bailey fortress that was
ordered to be built by William the Conqueror. Located in Rockingham on a raise site
for 900 years, Rockingham Castle is located in the village centre, 23 miles south-east
of Leicester, Rockingham Castle was built in the Norman layout of two baileys with
the mote in-between.
A Royal fortress for 450 years, in medieval times Richard the Lion Heart used the
castle and King John's treasure chest can be seen in the Great Hall which he left
there. By the end of the 11th century, King William II had founded the stone castle,
when adding a shell keep to the large mote and encasing the inner bailey with a
curtain wall. The impressive Edwardian two storey twin-tower gatehouse was built
in 1270.
Rockingham Castle has examples of architecture from every period of its 950 year
history, and surrounding the castle are 18 acres of gardens. Visitors tour the Castle
in their own time with guides throughout, on hand to answer questions. The tour
starts in what was originally exclusively the "below stairs" are in the Old Kitchen,
which has recently been restored to how it would have looked in 1895.
The Great Hall was built in 1086 and retains a strong Tudor atmosphere featuring
portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and her most powerful advisors - Lords Burghley,
Howard and Dudley. The Long Gallery also house paintings, some of which are the
finest paintings and furniture in the Castle. The historic Panel Room demonstrates
the evolution of Rockingham Castle from its earliest use as a Royal Fortress to
its modern role as a family home and national treasure.
Located at the end of the tour of the house is the castle gift shop which can also
be reached by the castle courtyard. With something for everyone, from toys to ties,
picnic sets to puzzles, china to jewellery, books to book marks, the shop was highly
praised in the 2007 Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme inspection for variety
and originality. The tearooms provide a comprehensive menu of refreshments in truly
historic surroundings within Walker's House, an annex of the castle located in the
courtyard.
Address
Rockingham Castle
Rockingham
Market Harborough
Leicestershire
LE16 8TH
Official website:
www.rockinghamcastle.com
Hotels Near Rockingham Castle...
Whipper-In Hotel
Whipper-In Hotel
The Market Place
Oakham
Rutland
LE15 6DT
Phone:
+44 (0)1572 756971
Fax:
+44 (0)1572 757759
Distance from Rockingham Castle: 11.9 Miles