Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted Castle was a mottle-and-bailey castle and today, you can still see the earthworks and ditches with some parts of the walls. The castle started as a timber castle to protect the approach to London in the 11th century and was rebuilt using stone by Thomas Becket in the 12th century. The castle has not been occupied since the late 1500s and gradually fell into ruin.

Dogs on leads are welcome.

You can walk inside, which is mainly the grass area of the Bailey, although you have some steep steps up to the Keep. The walk around the bank between the inner and outer ditches is rougher underfoot but well worth the effort, as you can really see how the ditches served as a defence.

There are no facilities or car parking but it is beside the railway station and within the town with eating, parking and toilets.