| Location | Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England (Google Map) |
| Open for Visitors | Yes |
| Owned by | National Trust |
| Official Website | Tattershall Castle |
| Rooms Available | No |
Tattershall Castle is a 15th-century red brick castle and one of the earliest examples of Medieval English brickworks surviving today. It is also a fine tower castle standing on flat fens of Lincolnshire, spread over five floors, and is surrounded by a beautiful wildflower meadow. This intriguing hidden gem with authentic Gothic fireplaces and church-like windows is under the care of the National Trust and is open to the public.
History
Tattershall Castle was initially built as a stone castle or a manor house by Robert De Tattershall in 1231. However, it didn’t have a solid foundation. In 1433, Ralph, 3rd Lord Cromwell and Treasurer of England, came forward and decided to build it using bricks to showcase his power and wealth to Henry VI. He added the great tower, the stables, the kitchens, and the Guardhouse within the castle and simultaneously used and renovated the original fortified manor house. This renovation work took about 2 decades.
At that time, Brick castles were uncommon in England, and generally, the castles were built using stone, earth, and timber. However, using brick as the building material added aesthetic, fashionable, and more potent appeal to Tattershall castle. About 8 million bricks were used to complete the foundation of this castle and allow it to make its name in the list of the top finest pieces of medieval brickwork in England.
The 33.5 metre high Great Tower and moat of Lord Cromwell’s castle design still exist. He made the castle suitable for his living and accommodated it completely. In 1456, Cromwell died, and the castle was passed to his niece, Joan Bouchier. However, after her husband’s demise, the castle’s ownership was confiscated.
Later in 1560, the Tattershall castle was recovered by Sir Henry Sidney and sold to Lord Clinton, famously known as Earl of Lincoln. The castle’s ownership remained with the Earls of Lincoln until 1693 and later was passed to the Fortesques. For about 200 years, the castle was neglected. It was robbed out in the years after its ruin.
In 1910, the castle was put up for sale and was bought by Lord Curzon of Kedleston. At that time, the castle had its original fireplaces. He restored the castle. In 1914, Tattershall castle was opened to the general public. In 1925, Lord Curzon died; since then, the National Trust has been looking after the castle.
Architecture
The Tattershall castle has a rough rectangular design bounded with an inner moat and another outer moat. The inner ward and entrance on the north side towards the western end of the castle have the original 13th-century feel. The outer ward includes the stables, and the middle ward consists of the gatehouse and guardhouse.
The great tower of Tattershall castle has a separate entrance towards the basement and ground floor. It also gives access to a spiral staircase that connects all the castle floors. The rooms on the first and second floors of the castle respectively functioned as private suites or solar rooms. The 14 foot wall thickness of the castle reduces while going up.
The second floor includes the Audience Chamber and the third floor consists of the Private Chamber. The castle’s design also includes turrets with rooms. The basement of the castle has empty storage space for kitchen items. It is believed that it was used as a prison during the Civil War.
The roof of Tattershall castle offers a beautiful view of the Lincolnshire landscape. It is standing straight and gives the chance to experience its medieval architecture. The Parlour on the ground floor is licensed to organize civil wedding ceremonies. And it has a gift shop located on the northeastern side of the tower. Now, the castle is empty and can be accessed through Middle Ward.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tattershall Castle built?
The origin of the Tattershall castle is 1231 in the form of a stone castle or a fortified manor house built by Robert De Tattershall. However, between 1430 and 1450, it was expanded and rebuilt using bricks by Ralph Cromwell to emphasise his power and wealth; that’s where the castle got its stronger foundation.
What was Tattershall Castle used for?
Tattershall Castle was not originally built as a castle. It was a fortified tower house of Ralph Cromwell, a powerful Lord Treasurer of England, built around 1440. Later, he found wealth and position and upgraded the castle into an opulent home. Here, the Great Tower, the Stables, the Kitchens, and the Guardhouse were commissioned to its structure.
Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
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Debayan Dey
He is a versatile E-Learning Support Officer and former Academic Officer at the University of York, United Kingdom. Not just an expert in education and technology, Debayan also has a deep love for castles and mountains. With a passion for travel, having explored 168+ cities worldwide, and a keen eye for photography, He brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. Specializing in E-learning content, IT support, AR development, and software engineering, Debayan has made a significant impact, educating over 200,000 students on Udemy.
