Woodsford Castle

Woodsford Castle, West Dorset Photo © Mike Searle, 15 August 2008

Woodsford Castle, West Dorset Photo © Trish Steel, 22 February 2009

One can only imagine the size of the original building, as what remains of Woodsford Castle is just the surviving range of a 14th century fortified manor house. Records of those times describe that a licence to crenellate was granted to one William de Whitefield in 1335. By the 17th century these fortifications had all been removed, and a thatched roof built in their place. In the 18th century having become quite ruinous, it was then converted into a farmhouse, with further repairs undertaken in 1856. Woodsford Castle is a rare example of a medieval fortified manor house. It's now owned by the charitable body, the Landmark Trust, and is a Grade I Listed building.

WOODSFORD is on the Frome, between Wareham and Dorchester. It was a large and lofty structure, quadrangular in shape, with a square flanking tower at each corner; the E. and W. sides are gone, but there are some remains on the S., contained in a arm-house. The principal entrance was on the W., on which side is an ancient stone staircase, now reaching higher than the house owing to the removal of the attlements; there is also a small staircase in the S.E. corner, loopholed for bows and crossbows. On the W. are considerable traces of ruins, and there are remains of a ditch round the castle. The ground floor was vaulted; above it are what are called the King's room, with a small oratory, and the Queen's room, or Solar, which is provided with a squint into the chapel; there are also a hall and a guardroom with antechamber. The sole remaining tower is that at the N.E. corner, and is called the Beacon Tower.

This Castle was built by Guy de Brian, in the reign of Edward III. Its present possessor is Lord Ilchester, who has restored what was possible with great care.

Reference

The Castles of England - Their Story and Structure by Sir James D. Mackenzie, 1896