Claxton Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Claxton Castle
Claxton, Norfolk, England
Claxton Castle ruins
Claxton Castle
Coordinates	52°34′54″N 1°26′42″E / 52.5818°N 1.4451°E / 52.5818; 1.4451
Site information
Condition	Ruined, outer wall and tower survives
Site history
Materials	Brick, flint and limestone.

Claxton Castle is a cool old castle that is now mostly in ruins. You can find it in the small village of Claxton, in Norfolk, England. It's about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southeast of the city of Norwich. This castle was built mainly from brick, along with flint and limestone.

The Story of Claxton Castle

This castle has a long history! In 1340, a knight named Sir William de Kerdeston was given special permission to build defenses for his home. This permission was called a "licence to crenellate." It meant he could add things like battlements and towers to protect his property.

Building the Castle Walls

Sir William started building, but he passed away before the castle was finished. So, in 1376, his son received the same special permission to continue the work. This allowed the family to complete the castle's defenses.

What Happened to the Castle?

Many years later, in the 1600s, much of Claxton Castle was taken apart. Its bricks and stones were used to build a new, grand house nearby called Claxton Hall. This was a common practice in those times.

Exploring the Ruins Today

Even though much of it is gone, you can still see parts of the castle today. The ruins include a long wall and three towers. You can also find old staircases and archways. If you look closely at the ground, you might see signs of an old moat and a raised path. These date back to the castle's medieval times.

Protecting History

Claxton Castle is a very important historical site. It is listed as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a building of special interest. It was first protected in 1951. It is also a "scheduled monument," which gives it even more protection as a nationally important archaeological site.