Farleigh Hungerford Castle began life as a manor house built by the Montfort
family. In 1369-70 it was sold to Sir Thomas Hungerford, first Speaker
of the House of Commons. He converted the property into a square castle
with large corner towers, surrounded by a moat. In 1383 he was pardoned
for having done this without a royal licence. In the early 15th century,
his son, Sir Walter Hungerford, enlarged the castle by adding the outer
court that enclosed the parish church, which he used as his chapel; it
is thought that he built the present parish church nearby to replace it.
The castle was home to the Hungerfords for 200 years, but had fallen
into ruin by the end of the 17th century. Little remains of the main castle
building apart from some substantial ruined towers, but the gatehouse
and curtain wall that protected the outer courtyard are largely intact
and the old parish church it enclosed is well preserved and features some
medieval wall paintings and one of the most important collections of lead
coffins in the country.
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Information |
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Please contact the
property or visit their official website for the latest opening
times and price of admission www.english-heritage.org.uk |
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Tel: 01225 754026 |
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customers@english-heritage.org.uk |
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There is a car park |
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Access to castle: Castle ruins are negotiable via steps
and rough paths. Chapel accessible through garden and large steps.
Difficult spiral staircase to upper floor of museum. Benches and
seats provided. The shop is accessible.
Access to grounds: Accessed on impacted gravel, paved and
earth paths and fairly smooth grass. Some cobbled areas. Wheelchair
access is confined to top lawns.
Visually impaired visitors: Stone carvings on tombs in chapel
may be touched. Chapel flower garden. NB. hazourdous spiral staircase
in museum; crypt is dark and small.
Hearing impaired visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop
included in admission price. Script is also available.
Parking: Disabled car park 20m from entrance on a tarmac
surface. Disabled visitors may be set down on the top lawn by prior
arrangement.
Toilets: Not adapted for wheelchair users |
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There are toilets |
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There is a shop |
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Snacks available from the shop. |
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Suitable for picnics |
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No dogs except guide dogs |
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No guided tours |
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Audio tour available |
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