ODIHAM CASTLE

Hampshire

This rather odd little ruined Castle, sometimes called "King John's Castle" (along with many others throughout England!), has more claim to the title than most because (1) it was built by King John and (2) it doesn't stand in Odiham at all, but the village next door - North Warnborough.

King John was attracted by the hunting and built the Castle as a comfortable place to stay whilst in the area.  It has an unusual octagonal keep, of a similar design to Chilham in Kent, but fell into ruin in Elizabethan times.

It had scarcely been built when it suffered a siege at the hands of Prince Louis in the 1216 rebellion.  Surprisingly this little Castle held out for two weeks.  It was later a prison (amongst other inmates was King David II of Scotland).

Today it stands on public ground squashed between the Basingstoke Canal and the River Whitewater.

Back to Castles of Hampshire Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001