Amberley Castle

Amberley Castle lies in the village of the same name, in the county of West Sussex in England.

The first recorded structure at this site, which was held by the Bishops of Chichester, was a timber-framed lodge built by Bishop Ralph de Luffa in 1103. In 1140 this was knocked down by Bishop Seffrid I and replaced by a more elaborate stone hall, to which Bishop Seffrid II added a wing in 1200. A larger Great Hall was added by Bishop John Langton between 1305 and 1337, when the site became known as the Bishop of Chichester’s Summer Palace.

In 1337 Bishop William Reade had the Great Hall replaced by a better one and fortified the site after he had obtained a license to crenelate from King Richard II. In 1536 the last bishop to occupy the castle died, after which it was leased by a number of tenants.

In 1644, during the English Civil War, Amberley Castle was held by a Royalist tenant. This caused Parliamentary forces to attack and capture the castle, which caused severe damage and the destruction of the Great Hall. In 1660 it was restored to the Bishop of Chichester and several other tenants followed.

Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk, bought the castle in 1893 and then restored it. During the 20th century it passed through several families and was turned into a hotel after 1988.

At present Amberley Castle is a luxury hotel. It can be visited as a guest. A very nice castle.

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