Chichester Castle

Chichester Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortification in Priory Park that displays the typical earthwork structure of Norman defensive architecture. The raised mound with surrounding ditches sits northeast of the city walls and remains visible as a green earthwork feature within the modern park setting.

The castle was constructed after 1066 by Roger de Montgomery and became one of the earliest Norman fortifications established in Sussex. It lost its defensive role and was demolished in 1217 by order of Henry III.

The castle served as an administrative center for the Rape of Chichester, a territorial division that shaped the regional governance system of medieval Sussex.

The site is accessed through the publicly open Priory Park and requires no entry fee. Information panels throughout the park explain the earthwork structures and help visitors understand the Norman fortification layout.

Before its destruction the castle served as both a court and prison, functioning as one of the earliest urban fortifications to combine these administrative roles. This dual purpose made it an important governance center rather than purely a military stronghold.

Location: Chichester

GPS coordinates: 50.83980,-0.77575

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:01