Broughton Castle

Broughton Castle is a moated, fortified manor house in the village of Broughton, about 3 km southwest of Banbury in Oxfordshire. The Fiennes family has lived here for centuries, and it is still the family home of Lord and Lady Saye and Sele, opened to the public for only part of the year.

How did Broughton get its castle?

The core of the building dates from 1306. A gatehouse was added in the early 15th century, and in 1406 Thomas Wykeham received a licence to fortify the house and add battlements, which gave it its castle look. Earlier, in 1377, the manor had been bought by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and founder of New College, Oxford. It passed to the Fiennes family by marriage in the 1440s. Most of what you see now comes from a rebuilding in the 1550s, when Richard Fiennes gave the north front its Italian-influenced character. Historic England describes the site as a medieval and later fortified manor house with lawns and a walled garden, enclosed by a moat.

What is there to see?

The broad moat is the first thing that strikes visitors, measuring from roughly 19 m to over 35 m across. Inside, the Great Hall formed the heart of the 14th-century house; its windows are 16th century and its plaster ceiling dates from the mid-18th century. It displays Civil War arms and armour and Fiennes family pieces. The richly plastered ceiling dated 1599 is in the Great Parlour. Rooms were extended and decorated between about 1550 and 1600. Outside are lawns, a walled garden and parkland.

What part did it play in the Civil War?

In 1642, after the nearby Battle of Edgehill, Royalist forces besieged the castle, captured it and occupied it. The Fiennes lord sided with Parliament and took part in the campaign, so the house features often in accounts of the English Civil War.

When and how can you visit?

The castle opens from April to September, usually on Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm to 5pm, with last entry to the castle around 4.30pm. Adult tickets cost roughly GBP 10-13, and sources quote different prices, so check broughtoncastle.com before you travel. The house stands on the B4035; walkers can reach it from Banbury along local paths.

Frequently asked questions

Is Broughton Castle open all year?

No. The season runs from 1 April to 30 September, and only on selected afternoons.

Do the owners still live there?

Yes, it remains a private family home, which is why visiting hours are limited.

Where exactly is it?

In Broughton, around 3 km from Banbury, on the B4035 road.

How long should I allow?

Around two hours for the interiors and gardens, which fills most of the afternoon opening window.