Rockingham Castle Rockingham Castle is a former royal castle and hunting lodge in Rockingham Forest a mile to the north of Corby , Northamptonshire . History . The site on which the castle stands has been used in the Iron Age , Roman period and by the invading Saxon s also used by the Normans , Tudors and also used in the Medieval Period . This is because its position on elevated ground provides clear views of the Welland Valley from a strong defensible location . William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a wooden Motte and Bailey at Rockingham in the 11th century shortly after the Norman Invasion of Britain . Within three decades , William II replaced it with a stone castle . A stone keep was added to the large motte and the outer bailey was enclosed by a curtain wall . The castle was then used as a Royal retreat throughout the Norman and Plantagenet periods . Nearby Rockingham Forest was especially good for hunting wild boar and deer . In 1270 Henry III strengthened the castle with the addition of a twin D - tower gatehouse . But less than a century later Edward III became the last monarch to visit the castle while it was possessed by The Crown . Watson family . By the late 15th century Rockingham Castle had fallen into disrepair . Sir Edward Watson ( founder of the Watson Family dynasty ) acquired the lease of the castle from Henry VIII . Parts of the castle were subsequently replaced with a Tudor house with gardens . The former royal castle became a hunting lodge for the nobility . Watson ' s grandson Lewis Watson acquired the freehold of the castle and lands from the crown . Watson was successively a knight , baronet and baron . In the 1640s Rockingham was garrisoned by troops loyal to Charles I during the English Civil War . Several small skirmishes were fought with Parliamentary forces . In 1643 Rockingham was captured by Parliamentarian general Henry Grey , 1st Earl of Stamford and Lewis Wartson temporarily forced to leave . Its remaining walls were slighted in 1646 . In the latter 17th and 18th centuries , Rockingham returned to being a civil residence . Lewis ' grandson , also Lewis , was created Earl of Rockingham in 1714 , a barony that was extinguished with the death of the 3rd baron in 1746 . The estate then passed to his cousin Thomas Watson - Wentworth , who was created the 1st Marquess Rockingham later that year . When Charles Watson - Wentworth , 2nd Marquess of Rockingham died in 1782 , the estate among others passed to the son of his sister , William Fitzwilliam , 4th Earl Fitzwilliam . The castle underwent further restoration in the late 19th century . Today the castle remains the private home of the Saunders - Watson family . Location . Rockingham Castle is often stated as being in the county of Leicestershire . This mistake arises due to Rockingham having a Market Harborough postal address , even though it borders directly onto the town of Corby in Northamptonshire . Rockingham village is part of , and is administered by Corby Borough Council . The Castle overlooks the villages of Rockingham and Caldecott and enjoys good views over the Welland Valley . Now privately owned , it is open to the public on certain days . Rockingham Castle was a popular haunt of writer Charles Dickens who was a great friend of Richard & Levinia Watson , ancestors of the current family . The Castle is the inspiration for Chesney Wold in one of his greatest works , Bleak House . Rockingham Castle takes its name from the village of Rockingham , where the Castle is located . Rockingham Forest was also named after Rockingham village , during the time of William the Conqueror , because of the Castle ' s importance as a Royal retreat . A cricket pitch lies within the grounds of the castle and is home to Old Eastonians Cricket Club . Filming . Rockingham Castle was used as the set for the BBC English Civil War period drama " By the Sword Divided " . In the TV series " Arnescote Castle " was the home of the Royalist Lacey family . It also featured in the film " Top Secret ! " which starred Val Kilmer .