Scheduled MonumentsEnglandReigate Castle

Reigate Castle

England
List entry 1005947
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Reigate Castle is a Norman fortress founded shortly after the Norman Conquest, with its keep and earthworks constructed in the late eleventh century by the de Warenne family. The castle occupies a commanding position on a chalk ridge overlooking the town of Reigate in Surrey and originally comprised a motte-and-bailey structure with a stone keep. During the medieval period the castle served as an important fortification and administrative centre for the de Warenne lordship, though it declined in significance after the fourteenth century. The surviving remains include substantial earthwork defences and fragmentary masonry, particularly from the keep's basement chambers which were extensively remodelled during the eighteenth century when the site was developed as a romantic ornamental garden.

Reigate Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005947. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Reigate Castle?

Reigate Castle is a Norman fortress founded shortly after the Norman Conquest, with its keep and earthworks constructed in the late eleventh century by the de Warenne family. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005947.

Who is responsible for protecting Reigate Castle?

Reigate 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 1005947.

What other scheduled monuments are near Reigate Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Medieval undercroft between West Street and Slipshoe Street, Reigate (0.2 km), The Priory, Reigate (0.4 km), Bowl barrow 20m south of Flanchford Road: part of Reigate Heath round barrow cemetery (1.3 km).

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