we are denz

Tucked quietly away behind a hairpin bend in the village of Ludgershall lie the ruins and earthworks of a medieval fortress believed to have been built in the late 11th century by Edward of Salisbury, Sheriff of Wiltshire. During the 13th century, this royal castle passed hands from King John to his son Henry III.

Its proximity to nearby parks and forests made it an ideal hunting lodge and country retreat. Henry's fondness for Ludgershall and his enthusiasm as a builder resulted in several additions to the castle between 1234 and 1251, the most notable of which was an ornate great dining and entertainment hall.

The foundations of the royal apartments can still be seen today. They were excavated in the 1960s and 1970s and contained the king's and queen's chambers and at least two chapels. Henry also built a new chamber for his son Edward, with two fireplaces and two privy chambers.

From the early 14th century, Ludgershall was passed on to successive royals and became known as 'the king's manor'. It is uncertain when the royal family stopped using the castle as their country residence but by the 1540s the buildings had been dismantled and levelled over to form the garden of a nearby house, with the tower being preserved as a feature.

Today the castle is a popular haunt with youngsters who like to play hide and seek and stage imaginary battles. It's an impressive relic and well worth a visit!

Source: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk