Aydon Castle
Aydon Castle is one of the finest examples of a medieval manor house in England. The house was built by Robert de Reymes, a wealthy Suffolk merchant, starting in 1296. The castle is naturally defended by the slope to the Burn on one side, and has curtain walls on the other. The fortifications did not stop the Scots from sacking Aydon in 1315. The castle changed hands several times over subsequent years.
The site is composed of an outer courtyard, middle courtyard, inner courtyard where the major buildings are located, and an orchard. The two storey hall block and kitchen wing with an embattled curtain wall make an inner courtyard, with the remnants of a middle courtyard to the west. It was originally built as an undefended two- storey home with a solar, dining hall and kitchen on the upper floor. The main entrance to the outer courtyard is a simple archway and agricultural buildings stood to either side of it. The middle courtyard housed guests or soldiers in a lodging block that was demolished in the 1540. The medieval defensive ditch outside the north west curtain wall is included within the scheduling, together with the buried remains of a timber-framed hall .
In the 18th century it was turned into a farm house and remained in use until the 1960. It is now managed by English Heritage and open to the public. This classic castle is perfect for family games and picnics and is a great starting point for some woodland walks.
