Framlingham is famous for its 12th-century (curtain-walled) castle, but the town itself has plenty to offer, including a picturesque conservation area at it's core. Voted a happiness hotspot :-)
Framlingham Castle - Close-up of ruined section.
It's not without good reason that Framlingham and it's surrounding area were voted as one of the most desirable places to live in Britain. With it's historic features and protected areas of natural interest, this sleepy market town provides a fantastic retreat for the soul and mind, pleasantly evocative of bygone times.
Why not try a Sunday stroll before dinner at The Station Hotel, Framlingham. With your base at the Station Hotel there are many circuitous walks around this picturesque town. Some of which lead up to the Castle providing stunning views of the area at any time of year. The more adventurous amongst you might like to try walks further afield, (working up an appetite) as the area is crisscrossed with well sign posted footpaths and bridle ways.
"A town with a medley of architectural styles from timber-framed and Regency to Georgian red-brick and Victorian yellow-brick gives the town a distinct character and the curtain-walled castle is where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen."
Excerpt from Top Country Market Towns
Impressive Framlingham Castle. The castle walls are 44 feet high and 8 feet thick.
Built by the Earl of Norfolk, Roger Bigod, as a symbol of his great wealth and power this is a stunning example of an early curtain-walled designed castle with mural towers. This impressive structure sits at the highest point of Framlingham and is protected from invaders by a deep moat. Entrance to the castle is across a bridge spanning the moat. The Mere, to the west, also part of the Earl of Norfolks' grand design, not only helped to create an impenetrable fortress but nowadays offers a most picturesque addition to the landscape.
We can highly recommend a visit to the castle at ANY time of year! Even if you find yourself here when the Castle itself is closed to the public (check opening times) the grounds to the castle are open all year round and provide you with a fantastic walk and exceptional views. Be aware that some of it is steep, so the less sure footed amongst you, may be well advised just to view the castle from the meadow directly in front of the castle.
"As the country moved into a period of peace and prosperity under the Tudors, the need for such mediaeval strongholds amongst the once ‘over-mighty’ nobility was diminished. As a result, from the early sixteenth-century the Howards attempted to bring this emphatically mediaeval structure up to date with a number of red-brick additions. These included windows, a new causeway, surrounds of the coat of arms above the main gateway and, most amusingly, a series of elaborate Tudor chimneys impertinently perched on top of the ancient mural towers."
Excerpt from Mark Robinson (Senior Academic Tutor & Head of History at Framlingham College)
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