Ellesmere Castle

Ellesmere Castle is a Norman fortification with a distinctive mound and rectangular earthwork on a hill overlooking the Mere in Shropshire. The structure follows the classic motte-and-bailey design, where an elevated residential area was protected by a fortified outer court.

Roger de Montgomerie, Earl of Shrewsbury, founded the fortress after 1086 as part of Norman expansion in England. Over time, it changed hands between English and Welsh control before the le Strange family gained ownership and held it for centuries.

The castle remains show how Norman rulers made their authority visible through fortified structures and controlled local communities. This type of fortification was a key sign of rule in the 11th century.

The mound is now used as a bowling green, while the surrounding land offers walking paths through the historical grounds. It is an accessible site for a walk that helps you understand the layout and strategic location of the fortification.

Archaeological evidence suggests a second, larger outer court existed on the west side and may have enclosed the nearby St Mary's Church. This expanded layout reveals a more complex defensive system than typically assumed for smaller motte-and-bailey sites.