Acton Burnell Castle
A spectacular hidden gem
A spectacular hidden gem
As is so wonderfully demonstrated by this article’s headline image, Acton Burnell Castle is hidden away and almost seeping and slipping into the nature that surrounds it. It made for an interesting early morning trying to visualise and capture many of the external images that follow but this 13th Century manor house and fortified castle is a spectacular gem.
With little known detail as to the remains I’ve added only minimal colour commentary to the images that follow, and I’ve taken the following from Wikipedia:
The manor house was built in 1284 by Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, friend and advisor to King Edward I. Its position was important at the time because it was near to the old Roman road of Watling Street.[2] The extent of the estate is not known, as much of the building has been completely destroyed or remains undiscovered. It would have been substantial enough to accommodate Edward I and his retinue, soldiers and advisers, but was never an actual castle.
Robert Burnell was granted a royal licence to crenellate and fortify the manor on 28 January 1284, a benefit only extended to trusted people.[citation needed] The building was rectangular with a tower at each corner. It was three storeys high consisting of a hall, solar, bedrooms, offices, chapel and kitchen.[2] Robert Burnell also built the nearby Church of St Mary and the surrounding village.[2]
Prior to this, in the autumn of 1283, Edward I had held a Parliament at Acton Burnell, presumably in the adjacent great barn,[2] the only building large enough. It is significant in that it was the first time in English history that the law-making process included the Commons. The law passed became known as the Statute of Acton Burnell, a law giving protection to creditors, indicating the increasing significance of traders during those times.[3]
Acton Burnell Castle
Opening Times: Open during any reasonable daylight hours. Please note the adjacent college closes the gates to the…www.english-heritage.org.uk
*All images captured by me on Sunday 7th August 2022*
Thanks for reading. Please see my archived articles for more from the various magnificent ruins of centuries old Castles, Abbeys and Monasteries or perhaps some soothing trips beside the rivers and canal waterways of the UK.
Alternatively, my three most recently published articles within my travel series are linked below:
Early morning sunshine at Moreton Corbet Castle
A hidden “English Heritage” gem that’s well worth a visitmedium.com
Shakespeare in the Stratford Sunshine — Part 1
Welcome to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the canal and river Avonmedium.com
“A Stream in the Sky”
World Heritage Site — Pontcysyllte Aqueductmedium.com