
Back to Blogs
Discover
20 Things You May Not Know About Clare Castle Country Park
Nestled in the beautiful town of Clare are the remains of a 13th Century stone castle keep set upon a motte overlooking Suffolk's smallest town.
An 11th Century Castle

Nestled in the beautiful town of Clare, Clare Castle Country Park contains the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 60ft high motte overlooking the town.
The Park has a variety of walks and trails that will tell you about what you see and hear as you meander through the paths and the town itself has 130 listed buildings.
Clare Castle was first built in the 11th century by Richard FitzGilbert, a Norman knight who was rewarded by William the Conqueror with large estates in Suffolk, Essex and Kent. He is estimated to have been the sixth wealthiest non-royal layman in England at the time of Domesday Book in 1086.
Richard had built a castle at Tonbridge before the one in Clare, but Richard and his descendants made Clare their administrative seat, eventually taking the family name from the town.
Did You Know?

1. The wealthiest fourteenth-century English widow, Elizabeth de Clare (granddaughter of Edward I and founder of Clare College Cambridge) owned and lived in Clare Castle for much of the period 1320-1360.
2. Ancestors of King Richard the Third are buried in Clare Priory immediately adjacent to the castle.
3. It is thought the 18th Century owner of Clare Castle, John Elwes, a notorious miser, was probably the model for Charles Dickens' Scrooge.
4. A medieval carving from a window in Clare Castle now serves as the sign above The Swan pub on Clare High Street and thought to be the oldest pub sign in England.
5. Clare Castle has the highest motte in Suffolk! The motte at about 60 feet high.

6. Clare railway station is the only station built on the site of a medieval castle?
7. Lady’s Walk is called so because it is suspected to be the path that Elizabeth De Burgh would take from the Castle Keep to her ornamental garden which contained a number of flowers and small animals.
8. The first park warden lived in a wooden shed and kept goats in the Park, which he transported in his estate car.
9. The first car park was made using granite chippings from the redundant railway lines.
10. When the ponds were first created the fire brigade pumped in 10,000 gallons of water…and it all disappeared overnight into the drainage system that the railway board had installed in Victorian times.

11. Otters have recently been spotted along the New Cut of Clare Castle Country Park and the park is also the home of a number of community bee hives.
12. Clare has an exceptional population of slow worms along the disused railway line. Common lizard and grass snake can also be found.
13. Clare Castle Country Park has benefited from a £2 million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant in the last two years and can now offer visitors a wider range of attractions
14. Clare Castle Country Park is run by a Trust with volunteers playing a major part in its upkeep
15. Fish returned to the moat of Clare Castle Country Park without any re-introduction by humans? It is suspected that a fish may have been dropped by a passing bird and by chance have survived in the moat.

16. The majority of landscape maintenance and management is carried out by volunteers of Clare Castle Country Park Trust… they are a brilliant bunch!
17. There is a willow wigwam and storytelling circle part-way around the Nature Trail of the Park – perfect for an afternoon picnic and a tale or two!
18. The wooden carvings of a woodpecker, otter and sheep in the park were all hand carved using a chainsaw.
19. During an archaeological dig at the park in 2019 a half penny dating back to William I (William the Conqueror) was found in a spoils heap!
20. Clare Castle Country Park's much-loved play train is modelled on the GER Class T18 Steam Locomotive.
For more information on visiting the town of Clare visit https://www.visit-clare.co.uk/
Related Posts



Related Blogs

News
Masters of the Air - Bury St…
To coincide with the release of the Apple TV+ World…
News
Lottery bid to protect Abbey…
A multi-million-pound National Heritage Lottery bid is…

News
360° Degree Vikings
The Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership…

News
Cathedrals at Night Twilight…
St Edmundsbury Cathedral will host Cathedrals at…

News
Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG…
Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE Announced as Speaker at…
Latest news

News
Children’s decorations add magic to town’s Christmas trees
Christmas trees across Bury St Edmunds town centre are to be decorated with tiny tree folk made by children.

News
Your Favourite Snow Queen Returns
Get ready for a truly magical experience at arc Shopping Centre this winter as the Snow Queen, her enchanting sister, and their frosty friend make a special appearance in Charter Square!

News
Masters of the Air - Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides announce a new tour for 2024
To coincide with the release of the Apple TV+ World War II drama 'Masters of the Air' Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides have created a new guided walk on Bury St Edmunds in WWII.

News
The Best Christmas Day Dining
This year, add a touch of luxury to your Christmas day proceedings and indulge in a meal prepared and served to you by professionals, in glorious festive surroundings.
News
Lottery bid to protect Abbey ruins and deliver improvements
A multi-million-pound National Heritage Lottery bid is being prepared to protect the Abbey ruins in Bury St Edmunds from further erosion and enhance the visitor experience.

News
1 month of laugh out loud comedy in Bury St Edmunds
Shake off those February blues and come on down to Bury St Edmunds for a month of rib-tickling fun and laughter at Bury St Edmunds very first comedy festival.

News
Enjoy Christmas in Bury St Edmunds with even more places to park
With a feast of festive fun about to begin in Bury St Edmunds, people will have even more choice on where to park thanks to West Suffolk Council and Greene King.

News
Theatre Royal Christmas Cabin Returns To arc Shopping Centre With 'Where's Santa's Hat?'.
Theatre Royal has just released tickets to their Theatre Royal Christmas Cabin which will be in the arc shopping centre again this year from 17th Nov – 24th Dec!

News
New Crazy Golf Experience Comes to Bury St Edmunds
Sneaky Links promises to offer the ultimate mini-golf experience in Bury St Edmunds