Rare footage of Merdon Castle Ruin Hursley Hampshire U.K.

Merdon was originally an Iron Age hillfort that was later re-used by the Anglo-Saxons and was the scene of a battle between Ethelred and Alfred against the Danes. In the twelfth century Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester built Merdon Castle on the site of the former hillfort which was used as a palatial stronghold for at least two hundred years.
The last recorded residence was William Edington, Bishop of Winchester in the 1360s but thereafter the castle seems to have fallen into ruin. The site remained owned by the church until 1552 when John Poynet, Bishop of Winchester surrendered the manor to the Crown. It was then granted to Sir Philip Hoby and subsequently passed through numerous private owners but the ruined castle was never rebuilt and little now remains other than earthworks and small amounts of masonry. The grounds were used for military training during both World Wars.
Legend has it Oliver Cromwell buried his treasure in the deep well which has tunnels connected to it & go in all directions. The tunnels are confirmed but no treasure has yet been found.
In Arthurian Legend, Merlin lives in a secret castle in the woods, a short ride west of Camelot.
Situated a few miles south west of Winchester in a densly wooded area of Hampshire's forgotten Old Forest, Merdon Castle became Church property in about AD600, since which time its custodians have kept it under lock and key.
/ hamwicexplorers
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Sorry about the volume had the Go Pro waterproof case on & also a faulty light fixing…clunk clunk!!