Remains Of Baconsthorpe Castle

TG 13 NW BACONSTHORPE

7/1 Remains of Baconsthorpe Castle,

GV I

Remains of castle, c.1460-86, built for John Heydon (died 1480) and Sir Henry Heydon (died 1504). Flint with some brick. Square court 30m across, complete curtain walls reduced to 3-4 metres, central 3-storeyed gatehouse to south; remains of roofless 2 storey range to east; moat to south, west and north, wide mere to east. Roofless gatehouse of 3 bays with central 2-storeyed projection for draw bridge, coursed knapped and galletted flint, string course at 1st floor, 4-centred arch opening to left and right, ground floor, having moulded stone surrounds under voussoirs of alternate flint and tiles; 2 openings to 1st floor, three to 2nd floor include stone mullioned 2-light window with 4 centred heads as now in Baconsthorpe Hall (qv 7/2). Brick culverts to moat from below ground floor gardrobes, single to left, double to right. Passageway with remains of tierceron stone vaulting, 4-centred stone doorways to left and right rooms each with brick groined vaults. Remants of stair turret at rear to west. Remnants of 2-storeyed range along east wall, C16, in coursed galletted whole iron stained and knapped flints, 5 bays, central brick doorway with segmental arch, 4 renewed 4-light square headed windows, mullions and transoms in wood. Remains of 3 storeyed square tower at north corner, base of round tower to northwest corner, and two to west wall. South wall, west, with 5 double loopholes. Castle was principal residence of Heydon family, demolished after Civil War. S.E. Rigold: Baconsthorpe Castle, H.M.S.0, 1966. Castle in care of English Heritage. Scheduled Ancient Monument, Norfolk: 144.

Listing NGR: TG1209638168