Locations
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.
Locations of lesser places
The locations listed on this page currently have less information so do not warrant a page of their own. As this website evolves and more information is added these locations will be promoted to individual pages.
Caerlaverock Castle
his castle, built on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth boasts an unusual design. It is triangular in shape with tall curtain walls, round towers at each of the three corners and a central courtyard. At the corner of the main entrance there are two round towers and a drawbridge would have been lowered to cross the moat. The combined entrance towers were the strongest part of the castle. A wide water filled moat surrounds the castle. The final days of the castle came in 1640 when it was captured by Covenanters, the Scottish Presbyterians who opposed Kings Charles I of England. After its capture the castle was left to fall into decay.| County | TBC | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 54.97639,-3.521855 (Google Maps) ///calendars.slack.ever | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
TBC |
| Categories |
Stone |
| Remains |
Not complete but much survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 54.97639,-3.521855 ///calendars.slack.ever |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1640
Caerlaverock Castle was captured by Covenanters opposed to Kings Charles I.
Caister Castle
uilt by Sir John Fastolf in around 1440. Sir John was an English knight who made his fortune by capturing and ransoming a French knight. With his money he built Caister Castle, one of the first brick built castles in England. The castle consists of two enclosures that were surrounded by a water filled moat supplied with water by the river Bure. The best remaining part of the castle is a tall round tower.| County | Norfolk, England (6 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 52.650404,1.70175 (Google Maps) ///dared.suffer.scan | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Fortified Manor House |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 52.650404,1.70175 ///dared.suffer.scan |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1440
Caister Castle, in Norfolk just north of Great Yarmouth, was built around this time by Sir Jon Fastolf. Casiter is one of the first brick built castles in England. [1]
Caldicot Castle
his large castle in located about five miles to the south west of Chepstow in South Wales and was built in around 1130 by Walter Fitzroger a Norman. A series of untimely deaths and male heirs becoming monks led to the castle being passed to Walter's granddaughter Margaret. Margaret married Humphrey de Bohun who took control of the castle. The Bohun family improved the structure of the castle over the years that they controlled it. Caldicot became a property of Thomas of Woodstock, the son of King Edward I, when Thomas married the female heir of the castle. Thomas built the Woodstock Tower and the Great Gatehouse.| County | Monmouthshire, Wales (9 castles) | Categories | Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 51.593135,-2.742327 (Google Maps) ///stroke.negotiators.bloomers | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Not complete but much survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 51.593135,-2.742327 ///stroke.negotiators.bloomers |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Camber Castle
amber Castle is a gun fort rather than a place of residence. The remains of the castle we see today were built on the order of King Henry VIII and it was built at a time when Henry was expecting an invasion from France. It is one of many gun forts that Henry VIII had built at the same time along the south coast of England. Others include St Mawes and Pendennis castles on the south-west coast to Deal and Walmer castles on the south-east coast. All of these castles share the same purpose which was to house large canons to defend the coast from attack. The design of these castles was unlike any that had gone before. | County | East Sussex, England (7 castles) | Categories | Henry VIII Gun Fort / Royal castle |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Comments | Check English-Heritage website for information as it appears the castle can only be visited with a guide. | ||
| Location | 50.93302,0.733898 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Henry VIII Gun Fort / Royal castle |
| Remains |
Not complete but much survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Comments |
Check English-Heritage website for information as it appears the castle can only be visited with a guide. |
| Location |
| 50.93302,0.733898 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Cambridge Castle
motte and bailey castle was built on the north side of the River Cam in 1068 by the Normans where 27 houses were destroyed to provide space. Many of the Norman kings spent money on the upkeep of the castle due to its important location on a route into London, including King John who gave money in 1204 for building work. King John held the castle during his conficts with the rebel barons and left the castle in September of 1216 before heading to Newark where he died. The castle fell into the hands of the barons. The castle had returned to Crown by the time King Edward stayed there in 1293. At this time a gaol had been constructed with the castle's ward and was used to imprison criminals. By the end of King Henry VIII's reign the castle had fallen into disrepair and its stone had been used to build nearby buildings. The only part that remained was the gaol. During the English Civil War the castle became important again and was rebuilt by Parliament whose forces held it. But in July of 1647 Parliament decided to destroy the castle and leave it in a state where it could no longer be used. Today only the mound can be seen, but it is open to the public free of charge.| County | Cambridgeshire, England (3 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Royal and Baronial castle |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Location | 52.211953,0.11479 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Motte & Bailey / Royal and Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Just the motte remains |
| Access |
At any reasonable time |
| Location |
| 52.211953,0.11479 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1068
The Normans built a motte and bailey castle on the north side of the River Cam. [1]
1216
Sep 16
1293
King Edward I stayed two nights at Cambridge Castle. [2]
Canfield Castle
r Great Canfield Castle. Just the earthworks remain of this once motte and bailey castle.| County | Essex, England (7 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.83696,0.312183 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 51.83696,0.312183 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Canterbury Castle
he original motte and bailey castle was replaced by a stone keep during the reign of Henry I.| County | Kent, England (13 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Stone / Royal castle |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 51.27568,1.07461 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Motte & Bailey / Stone / Royal castle |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 51.27568,1.07461 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Cardigan Castle
he remains of a stone castle. Unsure how much of this castle can be accessed.| County | Ceredigion, Wales (5 castles) | Categories | Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 52.0815,-4.6606088 (Google Maps) ///staked.excavated.nips | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 52.0815,-4.6606088 ///staked.excavated.nips |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1176
Lord Rhys held the first eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle after rebuilding work at the fortress was completed.
1231
Hubert de Burgh had become a powerful Lord in the Welsh Marshes, controlling castles such as Cardigan and Carmarthen. He began to threaten the local Welsh leaders.
1279
To assist in controlling Wales, King Edward took control of the castles at Carmarthan and Cardigan from his brother Edmund, the Duke of Lancaster.
Castlethorpe
arthwork remains of a motte and bailey castle.| County | Buckinghamshire, England (1 castle) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 52.093549,-0.835471 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 52.093549,-0.835471 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Caus Castle
emains of a motte and bailey castle built on an older Iron Age hillfort.| County | Shropshire, England (13 castles) | Categories | Pre Medieval / Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 52.664047,-2.980755 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Pre Medieval / Motte & Bailey |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 52.664047,-2.980755 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Caverswall Castle
private mansion built upon the site of a former medieval moated castle. Not generally open to the public but appears to be a wedding venue.| County | Staffordshire, England (6 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 52.982437,-2.074617 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
| County |
| Categories |
Fortified Manor House |
| Remains |
Not complete but much survives |
| Access |
No Access - Private |
| Location |
| 52.982437,-2.074617 |
| Directions |
| N/A |
Cawood Castle
inked to the Archbishop of York.| County | North Yorkshire, England (11 castles) | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 53.831569,-1.129685 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
| County |
| Categories |
Stone |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
No Access - Private |
| Location |
| 53.831569,-1.129685 |
| Directions |
| N/A |
Chartley Castle
otte and bailey castle with some remains of keep and curtain walls. On private land?| County | Staffordshire, England (6 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Stone |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 52.854043,-1.985961 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
| County |
| Categories |
Motte & Bailey / Stone |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
No Access - Private |
| Location |
| 52.854043,-1.985961 |
| Directions |
| N/A |
Location Map (click to explore)
Chelborough Castle
emains of a motte and bailey castle. OS map shows two castles.| County | Dorset, England (7 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 50.84727,-2.637719 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 50.84727,-2.637719 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Cheney Longville Castle
emains of a fortified manor house.| County | Shropshire, England (13 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 52.457754,-2.858783 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Fortified Manor House |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 52.457754,-2.858783 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Chichester Castle
All that remains of Chichester Castle is a small section of a mound and can be found in Priory Park at the centre of Chichester. The castle would have most likely been a motte and bailey type castle and may never have been more than of wooden construction. The castle was built within the city walls of Chichester which were originally erected by the Romans and refortified by the Normans. During the period when King John attempted to seize the throne of England from Richard I, the castle was provisioned in case it came under siege. In Kings John's reign orders were given to destroy the castle in case it fell into the hands of Prince Louis who was threateneing to invade England. The orders were not carried out and Prince Louis did take control of the castle. In 1217 the castle was recaptured and orders were once again given to destroy it so that it would not fall into enemy hands. The site of the castle was given to the Grey Friers who built a priory there.
| County | West Sussex, England (5 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Location | 50.83978,-0.77582 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Motte & Bailey / Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
At any reasonable time |
| Location |
| 50.83978,-0.77582 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Chideock Castle
arthwork remains. Access uncertain.| County | Dorset, England (7 castles) | Categories | |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Comments | Moated castle | ||
| Location | 50.73465,-2.817568 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
| Remains |
Earthworks only |
| Access |
Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Comments |
Moated castle |
| Location |
| 50.73465,-2.817568 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Chilham Castle
ow a country house built on the site of a medieval castle. The medieval keep remains. Castle privately owned but open occasionally.| County | Kent, England (13 castles) | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 51.242997,0.959893 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Stone |
| Remains |
Small amount survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 51.242997,0.959893 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Christchurch Castle
his castle is situated in a naturally defensive position between the two rivers, Avon and Stour just before they reach the coastline. Due to the protection provided by the rivers the site has been used even before a Norman castle was built. The site was named Twyneham, or the 'Place between rivers'. A burgh may have been built by Edward the Elder in the early tenth century. The early castle would have been constructed from wood with a wooden stockade. In the reign of Henry I, Richard de Redvers built a stone castle with a motte on the site. Today, only two parts of Christchurch Castle survive. A typical early 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle, and a chamber block now known as the Norman House. The area between them, now a bowling green, was once the defended courtyard or bailey of the castle, and would have been filled with buildings.| County | Hampshire, England (7 castles) | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 50.733394,-1.775013 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
TBC |
| Remains |
TBC |
| Access |
TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 50.733394,-1.775013 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Cilgerran Castle
his Welsh castle is situated in the north of Pembrokeshire. The castle was built in around 1100 by the Norman Gerald of Windsor and he built it on rocks overlooking the River Teifi. The castle was captured by the Welsh ruler Lord Rhys in 1164. It was recaptured for the English in 1204 by William Marshall. | County | Pembrokeshire, Wales (12 castles) | Categories | Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 52.056982,-4.634169 (Google Maps) ///blogs.cycles.masking | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Not complete but much survives |
| Access |
Only open at certain times |
| Location |
| 52.056982,-4.634169 ///blogs.cycles.masking |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1109
Nest, the wife of Gerald de Windsor, was abducted along with her children possibly from Cilgerrran Castle. She was abducted by one of her own relatives, Owain ap Cadwgan.
1136
The Normans were defeated in battle at Crug Mawr, south west Wales, by a Welsh army. Cilgerran Castle then fell to the Welsh.
1171
King Henry II granted territories of south Wales including Cardiganshire to Rhys, the Prince of Wales. [7]
1204
William Marshall captured the Welsh castle at Cilgerran in Pembrokeshire from the Welsh.
1215
Llewellyn's fight against the Normans continued with the capture of Cilgerran Castle. [8]
1223
William Marshall, the younger, recaptured the castle at Cilgerran from Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.
Coity Castle
oity Castle, now a substantial stone ruin was originally a ringwork, or keep and bailey castle. A ringwork castle is the same as a motte and bailey castle, but without the mound or motte. Payn de Turberville became the first Norman owner of the castle when he married the daughter of Morgan Gam the local Welsh chieftain to become Lord Coity. The legend surrounding the events state that to obtain the land Payn had to chose between fighting Morgan or marrying his daughter. These events occurred early in the twelfth century.| County | TBC | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.52201,-3.553 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
TBC |
| Categories |
TBC |
| Remains |
TBC |
| Access |
TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 51.52201,-3.553 |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Compton Castle
his is a fortified manor house dating back to 1329 is located in south Devon. Built by Geoffrey Gilbert, the house has remained in the Gilbert family since then. It is open to the public and is a National Trust property.| County | TBC | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
| County |
TBC |
| Categories |
TBC |
| Remains |
TBC |
| Access |
TBC - Please check before visiting |
Cwm Camlais Castle
ery little remains of what ince was a small motte and bailey castle.The motte once was topped by a round tower.| County | Powys, Wales (11 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 51.9233,-3.51974 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
| County |
| Categories |
Motte & Bailey / Baronial castle |
| Remains |
Just the motte remains |
| Access |
No Access - Private |
| Location |
| 51.9233,-3.51974 |
| Directions |
| N/A |
Cymer Abbey
Cymer Abbey was founded in around 1198 by Cistercian monks and descendants of Owain Gwynedd. It is located on the banks of the River Mawddach near the small village of Llanelltyd, just north of Dolgellau. A small amount of remains can still be see, including the east end of the church with several lancet windows. Remains of other parts on the abbey have been encorporated into the farm buildings that now occupy the site.
| County | Gwynedd, Wales (7 castles) | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 52.7583892,-3.8963468 (Google Maps) ///cleans.swims.making | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
| County |
| Categories |
TBC |
| Remains |
TBC |
| Access |
TBC - Please check before visiting |
| Location |
| 52.7583892,-3.8963468 ///cleans.swims.making |
| Directions |
| Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Timeline
1198
This Cistercian abbey in north-west Wales was colonised by monks from Cwmhir.
Selection of references used:
- 1: John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales, Shire Publications Ltd
- 2: Charles Henry Cooper, Memorials of Cambridge, Volume 2, 1866, William Metcalfe (1866)
- 3: Various, The Course of Irish History
- 4: John Kenyon, The Civil Wars of England, ISBN:0-297-79351-9
- 5: Alan Reid, The Castles of Wales, 1973, ISBN:ISBN-0-85097-185-3, Charles Letts & Cmpany Limited (1973), Own collection
- 6: James Forde-Johnston, Great Medieval Castles of Britain, 1979
- 7: John Timbs & Alexander Gunn, Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England & Wales (North), 1872, Frederick Warne & Co. (1872), Mine
- 8: Mike Salter, Castles of South-West Wales
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
Learn More
