Pictures of Castle Hedingham

About Castle Hedingham

Set in enchanting border countryside where the fine old counties of Suffolk and Essex meet, lies the delightful village of Castle Hedingham which has pleasant buildings and an historic castle to explore.

Hedingham Castle was built in the 12th-century by the DeVere family, who lived at the castle for many centuries, it is still owned by one of the DeVere descendents. The castle is remarkable for its towering Norman keep which is one of the best preserved in the country. It is also renowned for the 28ft Norman arch spanning the Banqueting Hall which is perhaps the only one of it's kind in England. Set within stunning grounds the castle stands four storeys high, has square turrets and walls 12ft thick. It is the perfect setting for many special events, these include medieval jousting tournaments and popular Have-a-Go archery. With so much to do, take part of and explore, the castle makes a lovely place for a family day out.

The village of Castle Hedingham, lies tucked beneath the castle. It is a tranquil place where you can see attractive medieval cottages and handsome Georgian houses. The Church of St.Nicholas is worth a visit, it is of Norman origin with a nave covered by a double hammerbeam roof. The tower bears the date 1616 and treasures of the interior include a 14th-century rood screen, beautifully carved misericords and a magnificent alter. The tree shaded churchyard reflects the peace of the church. At the Falcon Street entrance there is a tall stone cross which is a war memorial, there are a number of ancient gravestones and tombs belonging to noted local families. As one would suspect the church also holds memorials to the powerful DeVere family. The church has always played an important role in village life and today, like the village, it has a strong community spirit.