General Information
Oakham Castle does not represent the traditional image of a castle due to its small size. The Great Hall is all that remains of an early medieval fortified manor house. It did, however, have many of the traditional features of a castle such as a curtain wall, a gatehouse and a drawbridge with iron chains. There is also historical and archaeological evidence to suggest that Oakham Castle possessed towers at strategic points along the walls as well as a moat.
The Great Hall comprises a nave and two arcaded aisles, each with three large stone columns. There are a number of 12th century sculptures decorating the Hall including six musicians that are supported by the columns. The sculptures are carved from local stone quarried at Clipsham and are believed to have been made by masons who had also worked at Canterbury Cathedral.
Time Team, the Channel 4 archaeology series, filmed at Oakham Castle 26-28 June 2012. The programme was shown on 10 February 2013.
Oakham Castle is licensed for civil ceremonies. The site is owned and managed by Rutland County Council.
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