Christchurch Castle

The Constable's House standing adjacent to the castle was added at around 1160, and is a rare and notable example of a Norman domestic dwelling.

[1] Today the bailey is home to a bowling green and gardens, and the ditch has been filled in, but parts of the keep and much of the Constable's House still stand.

[2] After the Norman Conquest of 1066 the castle's defences were strengthened by the addition of a ditch and bailey surrounded by a wooden palisade.

The castle was rebuilt by Baldwin de Redvers to resist King Stephen during the civil war with the Empress Matilda in 1147.

[4] As well as the chimney, another notable feature is the garderobe tower, which extends over the mill stream added in the early 13th century to provide sanitary arrangements.

The area containing the adjacent priory, the castle and Constable's House is separately designated as a Scheduled Monument.