Remains Of Benington Castle (In Grounds Of The Lordship 15 Metres To South East Of House)

The remains of Benington Castle are located in the grounds of the Lordship, approximately 15 meters southeast of the house. This medieval ringwork castle was built in the 1130s for the de Valognes family. It was slighted by Henry II in 1176/7, garrisoned again in 1192/3, and ultimately destroyed in 1212 after Robert Fitz Walter was outlawed.

The castle features flint rubble walls that are 7 to 8 feet thick, with some sections displaying herringbone-coursed flint facing and oolitic limestone quoins. The plinth offset is made of dressed stone with diagonal tooling, which is visible on the exterior of the north wall. The structure includes a small square stone tower measuring about 44 feet by 41 feet, with pilaster buttresses located at the middle and ends of each face. There is a small northeast annexe that may be part of the original construction.

Demolition of the castle involved the complete removal of one side, leaving the south wall reduced to its footings and the west wall ending at a door jamb. Other walls still stand to about 9 feet in height. A fallen mass of masonry is present on the northeast annexe, and an imitation Norman doorway was added around 1842. The site is of unusual interest and is designated as an Ancient Monument.