Allington Castle

Allington Castle is a medieval fortification on the edge of Allington village, just north of Maidstone in Kent. Its origins trace back to the period of the Anarchy in the early 12th century, when an unauthorized stronghold was raised on the site without royal permission — and subsequently demolished once royal authority was restored. The current structure dates from 1279, when a manor house on the site was formally licensed for fortification by the Crown. Expanded and altered by successive owners over the following two centuries, the castle retains its curtain walls, gatehouse tower, and water-filled moat, and is today protected as a Grade I listed building — the highest designation in England's heritage system.