Christchurch castle was built in the 1100’s and owned by the Redvers family. The building started with Richard Redvers, a Norman Baron who accompanied William the Conqueror to England. It homed the Redvers family for the next 150 years, except a brief period in 1136 when the castle was forfeited. Richard’s son Baldwin (1st Earl of Devon) offered the castle and town to Empress Matilda to support her battle for the throne against King Stephen. However, Matilda was unsuccessful in her rise to power and the castle was returned to the Redvers family.

In the mid-12th Century, Baldwin’s brother, Richard (2nd Earl of Devon) rebuilt the castle in stone, making it more stable and repairing damage. Although, after the rebuild, only a century later, the castle was passed to the crown in 1293. It was then used as accommodation for traveling lords and ladies. The Norman Houses surrounding the castle were still used as residence for the groundkeepers and castle staff.

The castle was dismantled in 1651, and today only 2 parts of the castle remain, the 12th Century motte-and-bailey castle and the chamber block (the Norman House). The Norman House is one of the few Norman domestic architectures left in England today.