Broughton Castle

Broughton Castle is a magnificent moated and fortified manor house near Banbury in North Oxfordshire, built in 1306 from rich local Hornton ironstone. It has been the home of the Fiennes family, Lords Saye & Sele, for over 600 years - 22 generations - passing through the female line since 1377 and male line since 1447. The castle is currently home to Martin Fiennes, 22nd Lord Saye & Sele, cousin of actor Ralph Fiennes. Set in beautiful Cotswold parkland, Broughton was awarded five stars by Simon Jenkins in 'England's Thousand Best Houses'. The core was built in 1306, with the gatehouse added in the early 15th century. In 1406, Sir Thomas Wykeham obtained a licence to 'crenellate and embattle', adding battlemented walls that gave the manor its castle-like military appearance. Most of what visitors see today dates from the 1550s reconstruction by Richard Fiennes. Broughton played a significant role in the English Civil War as a centre of opposition to Charles I. It was besieged and damaged after the Battle of Edgehill in 1642. The castle features a magnificent Great Hall with two floors above, the Great Parlour with its stunning 1599 plaster ceiling, and the medieval moat that still surrounds the property. Today it's a popular filming location and is open to visitors 2pm-5pm on Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from April to September.