Deddington Castle - Banbury

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Deddington Castle: A Historical Exploration

For those interested in exploring England’s rich past, Deddington Castle presents a unique and historically significant site. Located in the charming village of Deddington, Oxfordshire, this landmark offers a glimpse into medieval military strategy and local life. The castle’s address is Castle St, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TP, United Kingdom. Prospective visitors can easily reach the site by phone at 3703331181 or through the English Heritage website: english-heritage.org.uk.

Understanding the Site’s Characteristics

Deddington Castle isn’t a traditional, imposing fortress with towering walls and grand keeps. Instead, it's primarily a series of earthwork defences – a carefully constructed network of ditches, banks, and scarped earth – dating back to the 14th century. These features were designed to protect the village and surrounding lands from attack. While the original buildings that would have stood upon this defensive system are now long gone, the layout of the earthworks remains remarkably intact, offering a tangible connection to the past. The site is a testament to strategic planning and the evolving methods of warfare during that era.

Location and Accessibility

The castle is situated in the heart of Deddington, a village easily accessible via road. It's a pleasant area for a stroll, making it a particularly enjoyable destination for families. The surrounding countryside provides a beautiful backdrop to the historical exploration. It's worth noting that facilities within the immediate vicinity are limited; the primary options are local pubs in the town, suggesting a more self-sufficient visit. The site is well-maintained by English Heritage, ensuring a safe and informative experience for all visitors.

Additional Points of Interest & Reviews

Specialties: Castle, Heritage Building, Historical Landmark, Tourist Attraction. The site is especially well-suited for families and those interested in learning about medieval military engineering. It's a relatively small site, making it manageable for a shorter visit. It’s often described as a pleasant place for a walk and a chance to connect with history. Currently, Deddington Castle boasts 122 reviews on Google My Business, reflecting visitor engagement with the location. The average opinion is 3.5/5, indicating a generally positive experience, though some visitors have commented on the lack of on-site amenities.

Recommended Visit Information

Opening Times: Check the English Heritage website for the most up-to-date schedule.
Admission Fees: Admission charges apply, and are subject to English Heritage membership.
Accessibility: The site has uneven terrain and limited accessibility for visitors with mobility issues.
Duration: Allow approximately 1-2 hours for a thorough exploration.

👍 Reviews of Deddington Castle

Jarrod H.

1/5

If you're expecting to see a big field with a sign at the far end of it, you won't be disappointed. It's a lovely enough field, but just a field nonetheless. Not worth going out of your way for

David J.

3/5

Lovely area, but the castle is basically earth workings, any buildings are long gone. Nice place for a walk but not a hell of a lot else. There are also no facilities except for pubs in the town.

Sarah G.

5/5

Deddington Castle is an important historical site. Bishop Odo ( ? Brother to William the Conqueror) is reported to have lived here. The site is free, there are significant remains of the ramparts and ditches around the edge of the site. There is a football pitch in the outer bailey now. Great for a walk around the outer & inner earthworks to get a sense of the size of the place. Lovely views from the top of the ramparts. Can be muddy in wet weather. Park in the village as no parking on site. Never very busy.

Aaron S.

2/5

While this place might have been a castle at some point, all that is left is a slight bulge in the ground. Definitely not worth a trip.

pcwjcw

5/5

Great for walks and imagining how it might have been centuries ago with the earthworks

Philip S.

2/5

English heritage site with NO castle, no ruins, no physical remains. The name is entirely misleading.
The site is a large grass field onto of a mound, with a football goal placed on one side. If you want a kick around, a walk on a little patch of nice open ground, or the kids want to race about, then it will be ok for you. If you are looking for a castle or castle remains, avoid this site.

Angela N. W.

3/5

There's no castle!😅 to be fair I don't know anything about the area and was looking for a walk one day, seen signs for Deddington Castle and found a field where the castle was.....it was ok, open field with plenty of benches and bins but no ruins or gardens. Nice walk though.

Brian M.

4/5

Deddington is a lovely village and not touristy like Chipping Norton or Stow. But it is very close to the Cotswolds and Blenheim.
If you are expecting to see some ruins and ramparts you will be disappointed by Deddy Castle as it’s basically a mound where a motte and bailey used to be.
With that in mind it is still a lovely place and good for dogs to have a runaround whilst imagining the history.