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Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge is a motte-and-bailey castle of Norman origin, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The site comprises a substantial motte surrounded by a deep ditch and an adjoining bailey, representing a typical example of early Norman military architecture in the Weald of Kent. The earthworks remain largely well-preserved, demonstrating the defensive planning characteristic of Norman fortifications established to consolidate control over the conquered territories. A stone keep was subsequently constructed upon the motte, which still stands as a prominent surviving feature within the wider castle complex.
Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005191. View the official record →
Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge is a motte-and-bailey castle of Norman origin, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005191.
Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1005191.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Town banks (3.3 km), Tonbridge Castle (3.3 km), Medieval hall at No 186 High Street (3.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Castle Hill earthworks, Tonbridge stands on Wealden Group, bedrock that formed in the Barremian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.