| Bristol Castle | |
|---|---|
 Bristol Castle viewed from the River Avon. Detail from James Millerd's map of Bristol, 1728 | |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′21.4″N 2°35′17.51″W / 51.455944°N 2.5881972°W |
| Client | William the Conqueror |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester |
Bristol Castle was a Norman castle established in the late 11th century on the north bank of the River Avon in Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port.
Built during the reign of William the Conqueror, and later owned by Robert FitzHamon, it became an important royal castle and was the scene of several imprisonments and executions. The castle was modified and further fortified between the 12th and 13th centuries under Robert of Gloucester and King Henry III. By the 16th century it was mostly neglected; it was torn down in 1656 under orders from Oliver Cromwell.