Eynsford Castle

Standing within an attractive village setting, not far from the fantastic Lullingstone Roman Villa, is Eynsford Castle - a very early Norman 'enclosure castle' whose substantial stone walls present a rare survival of this striking and impressive style.

Begun around 1085-7 and largely undisturbed by later building activity, Eynsford Castle is unusual in that it did not have a keep or great tower. Instead, the principal domestic apartments were situated on the first floor of the castle's hall, the ruins of which can still be explored by visitors today.

The impressive curtain wall was built between 1085 and 1087, probably by William de Eynsford I, a knight and sheriff of Kent. The defences were further strengthened in the late 11th or early 12th century and a hall and associated buildings were erected inside the castle walls.

In 1261 Eynsford castle and estate were divided between the Kirkeby and Criol families, causing much dispute. The conflict reached a climax in 1312 when Nicholas de Criol and his supporters broke in and vandalised Eynsford Castle as a protest against Judge William Inge who had bought the castle from the Kirkeby family. After the vandalism the castle was abandoned.

Eventually the castle passed into the ownership of the Hart Dyke family of nearby Lullingstone Castle and by the mid-18th century Eynsford Castle was used for stabling and the kennelling of hunting hounds.