Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire, England, is a grand feature of the Lincoln landscape, boasting some of the best medieval brickwork of all British castles and attracting many Great British Heritage Pass visitors and tourists to England’s Midlands.

The tower at Tattershall Castle is over 100 feet tall, comprising four internal levels and a roof which can be reached by an easy climb. Records show that nearly one million locally made bricks were used in the construction of Tattershall Castle, and it is widely held that the chimneypieces and brick vaulted passages represent some of the best surviving brickwork of their time.

Tattershall Castle was built on the site of Sir Robert de Tatershall's 13th century castle of which few remains can still be seen. It is surrounded by an inner and outer moat which is fed by the River Bain.

The new Tattershall Castle was built for Ralph, Lord Cromwell, in the years 1434-46. Cromwell was a wealthy and ambitious man who was Lord Treasurer to Henry VI, and he used the rewards of his high office to build this somewhat grandiose icon of his power.

The castle was saved from demolition in 1910 by George Nathaniel Curzon who restored the tower and left it to the National Trust on his death in 1925. Today visitors to Tattershall Castle can make their way through four great chambers complete with enormous Gothic fireplaces, tapestries and brick vaulting.

There are spectacular views across the Fens from the battlements and a guardhouse with museum room. Nearby the 15th century church of Holy Trinity bears a small floor monument to the infamous Tom Thumb, who is believed to have lived in the village in a little house which can be seen on the roof of another house.

Planning your visit to Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle is open from early March to early December each year on selected days and times. Please visit the National Trust website for full details of opening times before visiting
the castle.