Marlborough Castle

Marlborough Castle is a medieval fortified site centered on a 19-meter high mound with visible earthworks and stone foundation remains. The grounds sit within the current boundaries of Marlborough College and clearly show where defensive structures once stood.

William the Conqueror ordered this fortification built in 1067 at this strategic location following the Norman invasion, initially as a wooden motte. Over the following centuries, the structure underwent various modifications as its role and use changed before eventually being abandoned.

The site shows layers of different building periods that remain visible today, from medieval structures to later modifications. Walking across the grounds, you can sense how the castle adapted to changing needs over centuries.

Access to the site goes through Marlborough College grounds. Information panels on the site explain how the fortification developed and help you understand the different building layers.

Hidden beneath the mound lies a network of underground passages, including a flint-lined grotto built during the Tudor period. This concealed network reveals how medieval fortifications incorporated hidden spaces for defence and storage.

Location: Marlborough

Inception: 1067

GPS coordinates: 51.41670,-1.73722

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:42