The Castle of King John at Odiham

Today I am with Barry Stevens to explore Odiham Castle, situated close to Odiham, in Hampshire, but actually in North Warnborough. It is one of only three fortresses built by King John during his reign. The site was possibly chosen by King John because he had visited the area in 1204 and it lay halfway between Windsor and Winchester.
The castle is now in a ruinous state, and would have been larger than what we see today. Barry Stevens, a local and historic enthusiast, takes me around the edifice that has been with him since childhood.
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[@angelageraldswife7717]

My parents used to live nearby and got engaged at King John's castle in 1939! Lovely to see it, thank you.

[@RichardVobes]

Wow! How amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@MrGreatplum]

Great video - my grandma was brought up in odiham - the high street is well worth a visit. I remember visiting this castle with her when I was a kid and it’s nice to see it a lot tidier too! She also showed us a hollow tree that she hid in when she bunked off school one day!

[@RichardVobes]

I thought you would know it Matthew. :)

[@richardgeorge8612]

I was based at RAF Odiham back in 1994 and never knew this castle existed, thank you so much to yourself and Barry for this

[@claire76leach]

Very interesting. Amazing that the buckle may have been worn by Simon de Montfort himself. Loved that bit. Im off to find out a bit more about Odiham castle now.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Claire - yes amazing connection with that buckle!

[@lindakane7771]

I agree Claire. I bet a lot of us do exactly that after some of the Vobes videos.... want to find out more!

[@RichardVobes]

:)

[@DavidSmith-oy4of]

Relaxing, interesting, entertaining, with an incredibly likeable presenter. You deserve millions of subscribers.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much David. You words are encouragement to me.

[@Red_____________]

Lovely castle 🏰!!!!!!

[@RichardVobes]

Easy to find and get to. Thanks Tom.

[@neilwilliams2409]

Interesting video Richard another hidden gem brought to us by the intrepid Bald Explorer.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Neil - we do our best!

[@vestafairie]

and yet another excellent tour guide and a spectacular place! thank you, Barry! thank you, Richard!

[@barrystevens2699]

Thank you.

[@RichardVobes]

Barry was awesome!

[@roddixon368]

Spent a lot of time at the site with my two brothers (1955 to 57) while at RAF Odiham as a RAF brat. My age then 5 to 7. Good to see it is as we left it. Note we were careful to do no damage to this and other historical sites near to the various RAF stations we spent time at. Wonderful time to grow up as there were very few restricted sites then. I also started my school life at Odiham PS.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Interesting video! I visited Odiham Castle today, my first visit since I was 5. I didn't know about the ghost stories but sounds exciting to visit a midnight!

[@ramibu239]

Lovely old castle ruin Richard. Keep them coming!

[@RichardVobes]

Doing my best!

[@oliverjh1281]

What a gem of a castle very unusual style not your typical English castle I’d love to see that one, great video guys 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much Oliver!

[@georgetimperley8906]

I did enjoy that, I do like it when there is a picture of the castle as it was, so you can compere how looked then and now. But the outline on the perspecks did the compering itself. Well done you two great video 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks George - it is a shame that so much of the caste has crumbled away.

[@willwonka1325]

I'm truly addicted to your videos now Richard. Thanks for doing an awesome job making informative and interesting videos with great guests. I now live in Basingstoke and didn't know this even existed! I'm off there tomorrow with the dog. Keep up with the great videos.

[@barrystevens2699]

I am happy you have been introduced to the place by this video. Enjoy your visit. :)

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much for your lovely comments. It is great appreciated that you enjoy the videos. Enjoy your trip!

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

I walked up along the canal to the castle, a lovely walk, then to be rewarded with this sight, a wonderful place with a quiet energy.

[@RichardVobes]

I bet there is a lot of energy radiating from these old ruins. Thanks for watching!

[@sussexexplorer2454]

beautiful Location , very interesting

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much.

[@shaunlaverick5793]

Odiham castle seems to have slipped under my radar. so quite pleased you posted this video with Barry as your guide.i was reading up on it just now and didn't know prior it played a part in the Despenser rebellion against Sir Roger Mortimer and Queen Isabella. seems the place has a rather interesting history connected to it. excellent informative video as always

[@RichardVobes]

I barely scrape the surface with my videos, as you rightly know, but if they send the viewer on to investigate further then I have achieved my aim.

[@shaunlaverick5793]

that's why I like them..as they lead to wanting to find out more about the locations you visit..its a result of them being well presented and interesting.

[@hodakalover]

Very entertaining.... I enjoyed it very much while I ate my dinner. I can only rate it 9 and 1/2 Stars though, as no trees were hugged and no walls were walked.

[@RichardVobes]

Will try hard to hug more trees and walk on a few more walls. :)

[@debbiecarney1724]

Very interesting, thank you Love your video's

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much Debbie

[@susanolson3611]

Awesome, thanks 🙂

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you Susan for watching!

[@MrNas42]

I've not been to Odiham, it looks well presented given there seems to be little detail left. The remains look almost dissolved, or Goudie-esque, in their roundness! Barry is a great guide, and gives a great history.

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, the flint and rubble have been crumbling like an old biscuit for years. A shame really.

[@barrystevens2699]

Thank you Nigel :)

[@lukemason2981]

I like Barry … Barry you’re cool man 🤙🏼

[@beachcomber36]

Thanks for a lovely video. Hopefully you will be going west up the canal to Greywell tunnel and the charming village beyond. Odiham seems to be rather overlooked as a place to visit. Maybe that is a good thing?

[@barrystevens2699]

It is very overlooked. The whole area is steeped in history. Lots of civil war history too. Odiham itself was famous for its brewing, clock making amongst other things. There is a Roman villa here on one of the farms which has been excavate by archaeologists. Not sure if it's a good thing or not that it's over looked either ;)

[@RichardVobes]

Yes we will go to Greywell Tunnel in tomorrow's video!

[@davidbooth3285]

That bit about the siege and the French only finding 13 defenders instead of the 60 or 70 they expected,a precursor of Beau Cheast?? I think I’ve spelt that wrong??

[@RichardVobes]

Not sure how it is spelt. Beau Geste?

[@journeyswithjodi621]

I love ruined castles!

[@Smoking_Joe]

Visited this castle for the first time a few days ago.....I stumbled across it accidentally. It is quite different and is a proper defensive structure unlike many fortified manor houses erroneously labelled as castles merely because they have some castellated parapets. Love the history parts of this video........but I don’t know what all that paranormal sh1te was about.

[@RichardVobes]

It's a fascinating ruin.

[@barrystevens2699]

The paranormal part was connected to the castles legends. Some believe in them things.

[@Smoking_Joe]

@@barrystevens2699 I know..... Unfortunately..........whats more amazing and interesting than the actual real history of a castle?........ Certainly not apocryphal tales of someone thinking they've seen or heard something. And the odd questionable photo....... What are the legends associated with it?

[@chris4383]

Can anyone please tell me where the local parking is? I have google mapped it and........other mapping sites are available.......cannot locate where the parking is. Help!

[@RichardVobes]

I parked down a lane on the other side of the canal.

[@chris4383]

@@RichardVobes Thank you Sir.

[@grapejuice116]

That's my daddy

[@RichardVobes]

A lovely man!