
What is recorded here
King John built Odiham Castle between 1207 and 1214 as a formidable fortress with ten-foot walls, not merely a hunting lodge. Its rare octagonal tower rose beside the River Whitewater to impress and defend against French threats. In 1216, thirteen men held the castle against fourteen hundred knights and seven thousand soldiers for two weeks. The castle stood until the sixteenth century, when ruin took it, leaving only ghosts and grass beside the canal path.
A named place photographed at this map point in Hart.
King John's Castle was built during the late 12th or early 13th century, likely under the orders of King John of England, to consolidate Norman control in the region. It is remembered as a symbol of medieval English authority and military presence in the area.
Places near here
Odiham CastleScheduled monument · 113 yd
Autumn on the Basingstoke CanalHeritage place · 244 yd
Swing Bridge over the Basingstoke canalHeritage place · 345 yd
Butter WoodWood · 1254 yd
Spring HeadWood · 1648 yd
Old Milestone by the A30, Smokey House Copse, Nately ScuresMonument or public art · 1.3 mi
Hook War MemorialMemorial · 1.4 mi
Milestone west of HookMonument or public art · 1.4 mi
Up Nately BrickworksVisitor information · 1.5 mi
Welcome to Broad Oak CommonVisitor information · 1.7 mi
Small waterfall of an outfall east of Broad Oak BridgeWaterfall · 1.9 mi
White HillMountain / peak · 1.9 miOther information
Photo: Hugh Chevallier · CC BY-SA 2.0