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Tamworth Castle - Photo:
Darren Cummins
CCL |
Once the home of the
Reliant Robin – made famous by the antics of
TV’s Del Boy – historic Tamworth lies on the
banks of the River Tame and has a sense of
antiquity. In the 8th century it
was home to the Mercian King Offa and the site
of his mint. Two hundred years later King
Alfred’s daughter, Aethelfraed, fortified the
town after crushing an army of Danes. In the
11th century the Normans provided
the town with a dramatic motte and bailey
castle which has managed to survive, thanks to
some later additions. Its 17th
century town hall, together with local
almshouses, was built with cash made available
by local MP Thomas Guy, founder of London’s
Guy’s Hospital. In front of the building is a
statue of Prime Minister Robert Peel who lived
here from 1830 until his death in 1850. |