LULWORTH CASTLE

Dorset

Those tourists who stray away from Lulworth's astonishing Cove might stumble upon this strange Castle.  Most would probably not consider it to be of any strength, but Lulworth is one of those odd hybrids.  A Castle did stand here for many centuries, but nothing remains of that.

The Lulworth Castle we see today was constructed around 1608 for Thomas Howard, 3rd Viscount Bindon.  Although the Castle was without doubt built as a house, there is more than the slight traces of defensiveness about it...1608, after all, was hardly a time of peace.

By 1721, however, things had quietened down considerably and when the Castle was extended some less defensive additions were made - such as bigger windows and a porch.

In 1929 Lulworth became yet another victim of that enemy of Castles - fire. The fire burned for three days.  What remained was a gutted shell.  For many decades it remained that way. Only very recently did English Heritage start restoration work, which is still continuing today, but at last much of the Castle is open to the public.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
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2018