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Location
Amberley, West Sussex, England
Description
Amberley Castle is in the village of Amberley, West Sussex. The castle was built as a 12th century manor house. It was converted to a fortress for the bishops of Chichester in 1377 with addition of high curtain walls, towers and gatehouse. The castle is still completely enclosed by a high curtain wall, and accessed via a twin-tower gatehouse with portcullis to the south. At midnight each night, the two tonne oak Portcullis is lowered for the night.
Amberley Castle has been converted to a luxury hotel, and has 19 luxurious hotel bedrooms and suites, many with four-poster beds and all featuring Jacuzzi bathrooms. Hotel facilities include two restaurants, lounge areas, tennis court, croquet lawn, gardens and lakes, 18-hole putting course and a thatched-roof tree house complete with rope bridge. Inside the walls, the castle has beautiful landscaped gardens.
History
In 1140, Bishop Seffrid I built the first stone hall at Amberley. Seffrid II added the east wing about 1200. The Great Hall was added between 1305-1337 by Bishop John of Langton. In 1588, Amberley was leased to the Crown in the reign of Elizabeth I. James Butler bought Amberley in 1648 from commissioners of sequestered estates. The estate was acquired by the Bishopric again in 160 and leased to the Butlers. The Duke of Norfolk purchased Amberley Castle in 1893 bringing an end to church ownership. Princess Elizabeth visited the castle in 1945. The castle had a number of owners in the 20th century and was bought by the von Essen luxury hotel group in 2007.
Other Castles in the Area
Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Bramber Castle, West Sussex
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