Penstowe Castle

Penstowe Castle, also known as Kilkhampton Castle, stands in the rolling countryside near Kilkhampton in Cornwall. It was built in the mid-12th century during the Anarchy, a civil war that followed the death of King Henry I. The castle was likely constructed either by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, or by the Grenville family, who held the manor at the time. Designed as a motte and bailey fortress, it sits on a raised knoll with steep slopes protecting its northern and southern sides. The motte measures about 18 metres by 8 metres and rises between 6 and 9 metres high, while the inner bailey spans 30 metres by 25 metres. The castle’s unusual layout includes an inner and outer bailey, similar to nearby Eastleigh Berries Castle. Atop the motte once stood a D-shaped building, now long gone. Archaeologists explored the site in 1925 and the early 1950s, uncovering traces of its past. Today, the ruins are protected as a scheduled monument, preserved for future generations. The Grenvilles later built Stowe House nearby, which was demolished and rebuilt in grand style in the 17th century by John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath. Visitors to the site find a quiet grassy mound surrounded by earthworks and a sense of ancient history. The knoll offers gentle slopes and open views over the surrounding farmland. The motte’s oval shape and the remains of the baileys are still visible, though little else survives. The landscape around Kilkhampton is peaceful, with few distractions from the castle’s ruins. The site is protected by law, ensuring its preservation for those who come to see where medieval lords once stood.