Bedford Castle is an 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Ralf de Tallebosc. In the 12th century, Paye de Beauchamp founded the stone castle, when cladding the motte in stone and adding a shell keep. Dismantled after the great siege of 1224, the truncated flat-topped motte, now supports a large oval ward, which is flanked by the base of a square tower. The surrounding streets give the layout, of the inner and outer baileys, with part of the inner bailey ditch beneath Castle Lane. In the 19th century, the northern part of the motte was used as an icehouse. 3 miles east is Goldington Castle and 14 miles south is Higham Gobion Castle.
Picture © Anthony Forth