Crewkerne Castle

Crewkerne Castle stands on a high mound north-west of Crewkerne in Somerset. The site rises about 140 metres above the surrounding land and has been called a castle since at least 1839. Excavations have revealed a ditch around the top and traces of an old stone building. Fragments of 12th-century pottery were found on the slope. Some experts believe it was a Norman motte, others think it might have been a 13th-century manor house or even a local folly. The land was given to Richard de Redvers by Henry I before 1107. His son Baldwin is thought to have built on the hill soon after. In 1150 the Bishop of Salisbury received the services of knights linked to the site. A team from Channel 4’s Time Team visited in 2012 to explore the remains. Visitors reach the mound by a short walk from Crewkerne town centre. The hilltop offers wide views across the Somerset countryside. The ditch and stone foundations can still be seen among the grass. The site is quiet and open, with no modern buildings nearby. It is a place where the past feels close but undemanding.