URPoint Details
Dominated by the Castle, as it grew in importance so did the village.
It was designated a Borough in the 12th century and a town by Royal Charter of Elizabeth I.
Some of the Tudor village was destroyed during the Civil War, when the castle was a Parliamentary garrison from 1643 to 1646.
A portion of the old market cross is still standing surmounted by a memorial to the Watson family who have lived in the castle for over 400 years.
Charles Dickens was a friend of the Watsons and wrote: In some descriptions of Chesney Wold (in Bleak House, first published 1853) I have taken bits... from observations made at Rockingham". He described it as a very inhospitable and chilling place which contrasts with the pretty cottages and picturesque pub which can be seen bordering its steep main street today.
Set apart from Cottingham by the expanse of Rockingham Forest, this delightful iron-stone village extends from the massive Rockingham Castle one of the country's best preserved medieval strongholds to the River Welland and the boundary with Rutland at the foot of the very steep escarpment.
Entirely unspoilt Rockingham has several houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as a
- Type:
- Landmark