Oakham Castle

The medieval Oakham Castle is located in Oakham, Rutland. The Castle is renowned for its enormous horseshoe collection and is regarded as one of England's finest examples of domestic Norman construction. It is a listed structure of Grade I. The Rutland County Council owns and operates Oakham Castle, which has a permit for civil ceremonies. There is no cost to enter the castle.

Walkelin de Ferrers, the lord of the manor of Oakham and the great-nephew of Robert de Ferrers, the first Earl of Derby, constructed the castle between 1180 and 1190. The Great Hall has a nave, two arcaded aisles, and three substantial stone columns in each aisle. The Hall is decorated with a collection of sculptures from the 12th century, including six musicians who are supported by the columns. The sculptures were likely created by masons who had already worked at Canterbury Cathedral. They were carved from local stone quarried at Clipsham.

Oakham Castle does not conform to the conventional idea of a castle because of its little size. However, the Great Hall of a considerably bigger fortified manor house existed before Oakham Castle as it does now. Many of the typical castle characteristics were present, including a curtain wall, a gatehouse, and a drawbridge with iron chains. Additionally, historical and archeological data testify to the presence of towers and a moat at key locations along the walls of Oakham Castle.

Location: Castle Grounds Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DR, Rutland, England