Eynsford Castle
Eynsford Castle is one of the earliest examples of a stone enclosure castle in England. It started out as wooden tower upon a raised area of ground next to the River Darent. In about 1088 the raised earth platform was surrounded by a 6 metre (20ft) tall wall made of coursed flint rubble. Several decades later the height of the wall was increased to 9.1 metres (30ft) and a new stone hall and a stone gate tower were built.
After a fire in 1250 the hall was rebuilt and extended by William de Eynsford, creating a larger more comfortable manor house. The ruins of this house and some quite substantial sections of wall still remain.
- Location:
- In the centre of Eynsford off the A225. Look out for a small turning opposite the Castle Hotel.
- Address:
- Eynsford Castle, Eynsford, Dartford, Kent DA4 0AA
- Access:
- English Heritage. Open to the public. Free access
- Website:
- For further information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk
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