Brougham Castle
OS Grid ref:- NY 536289
The imposing ruins of Brougham Castle, which stand romantically by the River Eamont, occupy the site of a Roman fort, known as Brocavum, errected to guard the river crossing.
Brougham Castle's keep was built by Robert de Vieuxpoint in the early 13th century, along with a hall block, which did not survive, and service buildings, all of which were enclosed within a timber palisade.
The castle was acquired by Roger Clifford, when he married Robert Vieuxpoint's great-granddaughter in 1268.
Brougham was eventually inherited by their son, Robert Clifford, who carried out extensive alterations to the building. A new gatehouse complex was added, with an inner and outer gatehouse separated by a small courtyard, new domestic buildings, a new stone curtain wall to replace the timber palisade. The Tower of League was also added, to provide accommodation for important visitors.
Robert Clifford became embroiled in Edward I's Scottish campaigns and was killed whilst fighting at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The next major changes to the castle fabric took place a century later, when Roger Clifford, grandson of Robert, added further domestic buildings. The castle was taken and sacked by raiding Scots in 1388. A disastrous fire of 1521 destroyed large sections of the building.
Brougham eventually came into the possession of the heiress Lady Anne Clifford, third and only surviving child of George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, and his wife Margaret Russell. who acquired it in 1649, when she was sixty years old. Lady Anne carried out extensive renovations on most of the Clifford properties in Westmorland.
Around a mile from Brougham stands the Countess Pillar, built by Lady Anne to mark her last parting place from her mother. She died at Brougham in 1676 and the Clifford castles became the property of her grandson, the Earl of Thanet. He sold off the furnishing and fittings, after which Brougham fell into decay.
Brougham, now in the care of English Heritage, lies just two miles from the town of Penrith. There is a small shop on the site, and an exhibition of Roman tombstones from the nearby fort. Some excellent views of the surrounding countryside may be had from the castle's towers.
Lake District Visitor Attractions