Rockingham Castle formerly a royal castle and hunting lodge, now the family home of the Saunders Watson family, in Rockingham Forest on the northern edge of the English county of Northamptonshire a mile to the north of Corby. It was formerly a Saxon fort and the castle was founded shortly after William the Conqueror arrived in England. It was created because its elevated terrain provided an excellent defence of the surrounding land from the local population. It was used by Norman kings as a retreat when travelling because the forest was good for hunting wild boar and deer. By the time that Henry VIII came to power the castle was in decline and was no more than a hunting lodge for nobles. It was restored during the ensuing centuries following several small skirmishes in the English civil war and finally restored to its full elegance and grace in the late nineteenth century. It overlooks the villages of Rockingham and Caldecott and enjoys good views over the Welland Valley. Now privately owned, it is open to the public on certain days. Rockingham Castle was a popular haunt of writer Charles Dickens who was a great friend of Richard & Levinia Watson, ancestors of the current family. The Castle is the inspiration for Chesney Wold in one of his greatest works, Bleak House. A cricket pitch lies within the grounds of the castle and is home to Old Eastonians Cricket Club.
Television Appearances
Rockingham Castle was used as the set for the BBC English Civil War period drama By the Sword Divided. In the TV series "Arnescote Castle" was the home of the Royalist Lacey family.
External links
- Official website
- Map sources for Rockingham Castle
