Allington Castle

Allington Castle is a fortified country house built on a site with earlier origins, dating primarily to between 1279 and 1299, with subsequent work in the early 14th century, alterations after 1492, and a thorough restoration between 1905 and 1929 by Lord Conway and the architect W.D. Caröe. The site was originally occupied by a moated mound built by William de Warenne, followed by further building in the 12th century before being superseded by a manor house in 1174. These earlier structures were incorporated into the later castle.

The present structure consists of buildings arranged around a courtyard, enclosed by a curtain wall and featuring semi-circular towers overlooking a moat that connects to the Medway. Solomon's Tower, a four-story tower larger than the others, stands in the southwest corner, while the northwest corner is dominated by a Gatehouse with restored machicolation and battlements, iron-studded medieval double doors, and a barbican and stone bridge traversing the moat. The lower parts of the Gatehouse originate from the 12th-century manor house. A wing, constructed by Sir Henry Wyatt, divided the courtyard and originally housed a long gallery, which is believed to be one of the first of its kind in England; this gallery was later lost but subsequently restored. Sir Henry Wyatt also added timber-frame buildings in the southeast corner, serving as the kitchens and offices. These have two storeys and an attic, with stone ground and first floors, topped by rendered, overhanging timbered gables supported by bressumers with moulded argeboards and pendants, and a single gabled dormer. Casement windows feature small, square leaded panes.

Sir Henry Wyatt made alterations to most of the castle’s windows. The poet Sir Thomas Wyatt was born here in 1503, and his son, Sir Thomas Wyatt, also resided there until 1554. Notable visitors included Henry VII, Henry VIII (in 1527, 1530, and 1536), Cardinal Wolsey (in 1527), and Catherine Parr (in 1544).

The listed buildings at Allington Castle collectively form a group.