Brandon Castle

Brandon Castle stands on a low rise above the River Avon between the villages of Brandon and Wolston in Warwickshire. The site once held a 12th-century earthwork motte and bailey fortress built by Geoffrey de Clinton. In 1226 the de Verdon family replaced it with a stone keep and a large outer enclosure. Barons from Kenilworth Castle demolished parts of the castle in 1265 because John de Verdon backed the king. Today only faint earthworks and scattered masonry remain visible.

The remains form a scheduled ancient monument recognised for their historical importance. The castle appears on the Heritage at Risk Register because scrub and tree growth threaten its condition. Without further care the site will continue to decline. Its ruined state offers a quiet place to reflect on medieval power struggles.

Visitors walk over low grassy mounds that mark the outline of the keep and outer walls. Scattered stones show where walls once stood. The River Avon flows nearby, adding a natural setting to the ruins. The landscape is calm, with few distractions. The site is small but holds traces of a once grand fortress.