Scheduled MonumentsEnglandOrchard Castle

Orchard Castle

England
List entry 1005639
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Orchard Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle situated in Somerset, England. The site comprises an earthwork mound typical of Norman fortifications erected in the decades following the Conquest of 1066. The castle's strategic position and construction method reflect the early medieval defensive needs of the Norman settlers in the region. Like many such fortifications, Orchard Castle represents an important phase in the military architecture of post-Conquest England, though detailed documentary evidence regarding its specific founding date and lords remains limited in the surviving historical record.

Orchard Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005639. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Orchard Castle?

Orchard Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle situated in Somerset, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005639.

Who is responsible for protecting Orchard Castle?

Orchard Castle 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 1005639.

What other scheduled monuments are near Orchard Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Pen Pits quern quarries N of Combe Bottom (0.3 km), Pen Pits quern quarries SE of Hart Hill (0.4 km), Ballands Castle (1.8 km).

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