Donnington Castle was built by Sir Richard Abberbury in 1386. It was just a manor before. He had to get special permission from the King to 'crenellate' it.

Thomas Chaucer later owned it. He was son of the famous poet, Geoffrey. He sometimes stayed there, but mostly lived at Ewelme, near Wallingford.

During the English Civil War, King Charles I's soldiers locked themselves up in the Castle. They were besieged by Parliament's soldiers after the 2nd Battle of Newbury.