Bury Castle

Bury Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress in Brompton Regis with a raised central mound and adjoining courtyard area. The mound rises clearly above the surrounding landscape, displaying the standard structure of this medieval defense form.

The location began as an Iron Age hillfort before being transformed into a Norman fortress in the 1130s under Norman control. This conversion reflected the Norman strategy to consolidate power across England using established defensive positions.

The site shows how defense needs changed over centuries, with layers of Iron Age and Norman construction visible in how the land is shaped. Visitors can sense the shift from ancient hillfort to medieval fortress just by walking through the contours.

The site sits near a river junction and is accessible via footpaths through rural countryside. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and can become slippery when wet.

The fortress harnesses natural terrain features to strengthen its defenses, with slopes and earthworks that benefit from proximity to the rivers. This clever use of topography demonstrates early strategic planning at the site.