Top 4 Castles around Barnston

Around Barnston, you'll discover a variety of historical sites, including ancient earthworks, priories, and the remains of Norman castle mounds. While Barnston itself is known for the 19th-century Barnston Towers, which are castellated gatehouses, the surrounding region offers more traditional historical fortifications and architectural styles.

Barnston is known for its unique Barnston Towers, which are not traditional defensive castles but rather elaborately decorated 19th-century gatehouses. They offer a glimpse into 19th-century decorative trends with their castellated design.

Several sites are suitable for families. Pleshey Castle Earthworks and Brick Bridge, Leez Priory, Stebbing Village, and Pleshey Village are all categorized as family-friendly, offering historical exploration in pleasant settings.

At Pleshey Castle Earthworks and Brick Bridge, you can explore the remains of a motte and bailey castle, completed around the 12th century. While the main structure is gone, you can still see the earthworks, sections of the moat, and a well-preserved 14th-century brick-built bridge, giving a strong sense of the original fortification.

Leez Priory was an Augustinian Priory until its dissolution in 1556. Much of the original buildings still remain, offering a fascinating historical site to explore. It's well worth a stop to walk around the grounds and appreciate the architecture.

Yes, Pleshey Village is a quaint Essex village that was once the site of a royal castle, with earthworks still visible (though mostly on private property). Another is Stebbing Village, a historic settlement dating from at least the 11th century, where a medieval motte & bailey castle once stood on what is now called 'The Mount'.

Yes, Pleshey Village is centered around a village pond, offering a lovely spot for a breather. The Remains of the Norman Castle Mound also offer brilliant views from the top, providing a scenic perspective of the surrounding area.

The area around Barnston offers various outdoor activities. You can find easy hikes, moderate hikes, and gravel biking routes. For example, there are routes like 'Rumblebees Café – Plunge Pool in the Stream loop' for easy hikes, or 'Stebbing, Little Dunmow and the Fitch Way' for moderate hikes. For gravel biking, consider routes like 'Flitch Way road crossing – Flitch Way — East section loop'. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking around Barnston guide or the gravel biking around Barnston guide.

Yes, there are several hiking trails nearby. You can explore easy routes like 'Rumblebees Café – Plunge Pool in the Stream loop' or 'Flitch Way — East section – Rumblebees Café loop'. For more challenging options, consider 'Stebbing, Little Dunmow and the Fitch Way from Great Dunmow'. These routes are detailed in the hiking guides for Barnston.

Visitors appreciate the sense of history and the opportunity to explore ancient structures. For instance, at Pleshey Castle Earthworks, people enjoy gaining a good sense of the original fortification. At Leez Priory, the preservation of original buildings is a highlight. The pleasant village settings, like Pleshey Village, are also frequently mentioned as enjoyable spots.

Yes, the Remains of the Norman Castle Mound is an amazing place to visit. While there isn't much of the original structure left, the brilliant view from the top makes it worthwhile. A guided tour is recommended to fully understand its historical significance.

Yes, Stebbing Village is home to a Grade I listed church, which boasts one of only three stone rood screens in Europe. The village also features many timber buildings, including Prior's Hall, a grand 16th-century house, adding to its historical charm.