Donnington Castle

Donnington Castle was built in 1386 AD

Castle Lane, Donnington

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The fairly small but very attractive ruins of Donnington Castle sit on a hill close to the centre of the village. There is a good free car park at Donnington Castle but no toilets or other facilities. The lawns are well kept, making Donnington Castle a great picnic spot on a sunny day.

Donnington Castle has lovely views across the valley below so do not miss this stop off the beaten track. The castle itself was probably first fortified in its current style around 1386 in the reign of Richard II.

Noteable owners of Donnington Castle included Thomas Chaucer, the son of the poet and Statesman Geoffrey Chaucher.

King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I both visited Donnington Castle during its heyday but the castle was besieged during the civil war and was seized by the royalists after the first Battle of Newbury. During the siege of Donnington Castle extra earthwork fortifications were built around the castle. These can still be clearly seen. After the Civil War, Parliament voted to demolish Donnington Castle in 1646.

All that now remainas are a few low walls and a massive gatehouse. If you look up to the top of the towers you will see some fine gargoyles at the top of the castle. You can also see the paths of a number of chimney flues on the interior wall. The building is now maintianed by English Heritage.

Directions to Donnington...

Just off the A4 north of Newbury in Berkshire

One of the great medieval castles of England.

 

 

 

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