Hales Castle

Hales Castle is a medieval ringwork fortification built on the northern slope of Roddenbury Hill, an ancient Iron Age settlement. The structure comprises earth banks of varying heights that form a circular defensive pattern around the site.

The castle was built following the Norman conquest to control the town of Frome and its surrounding area during the medieval period. It represents one of many defensive structures constructed during this era of political consolidation in southwest England.

The site holds significance as a crossroads where local routes converged in medieval times. Visitors walking through the grounds can observe how the location shaped patterns of movement and settlement in the region.

The ruins are accessible on foot along a walking path that also reaches a nearby hillfort. The terrain is uneven with sloping ground, so sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring the site comfortably.

The site features an incomplete bailey wall that reveals abandoned construction plans from its medieval period. This unfinished element offers insight into how fortifications were adapted or modified during their occupation.

Location: Selwood

GPS coordinates: 51.19680,-2.29121

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:03