The castle served as a secret meeting place for Parliamentary rebels plotting against King Charles I in the early 1640s.
It has served as a filming location for major productions including 'Shakespeare in Love', 'Jane Eyre', and 'Wolf Hall'.
The building is constructed from ironstone, which is indigenous to the local North Oxfordshire area.
Despite its 'castle' title, the structure was primarily designed as a comfortable, defensible home rather than a strictly military fortress.
The moat surrounding the house was originally fed by the River Sor Brook.
Broughton Castle is a moated and fortified manor house located in the parish of Broughton, near Banbury. Originally built as a manor house in 1300, it was transformed into a castle in 1406 when Sir Thomas Wykeham obtained a licence to crenellate. The site has remained the home of the Fiennes family since 1447. The architecture blends medieval foundations with significant Tudor-era expansions and additions. It is surrounded by a wide water-filled moat and extensive landscaped parkland. The structure is built from local Hornton stone, giving it a distinct warm, honey-colored appearance. Notable interior features include the Great Hall and the Council Chamber, which famously hosted meetings of opponents to King Charles I before the English Civil War.
The bridge over the moat looking back toward the main gatehouse.
Explore the exterior gardens and parkland, as they provide unique angles of the moat and architecture.
Check the official website for private event closures before traveling, as the house occasionally closes for weddings or filming.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the gravel paths and uneven stone floors within the historic rooms.
Do not attempt to walk on the grassy banks surrounding the moat as they can be unstable or slippery.
Open seasonally, typically from spring through early autumn; usually closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
Photography is restricted in many interior rooms; avoid touching tapestries or furniture.
