Totternhoe Knolls

Totternhoe Knolls is a Norman castle featuring earthwork defenses with a motte and three baileys positioned on a chalk hill overlooking the village of Totternhoe and Dunstable. The site displays the typical defensive layout of medieval fortifications from this era with commanding terrain and clearly defined earth banks.

Built during the period known as the Anarchy in England, this Norman fortification served as a strategic defense point in medieval Bedfordshire. This stronghold was part of the Norman network designed to maintain control across the region during that turbulent time.

The site sits within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and hosts rare plants like orchids alongside various butterfly species. This ecological diversity makes the hillside a living space where specialized species thrive in their natural habitat.

The site remains accessible throughout the year, though visitors should exercise caution on steep slopes, particularly during or after wet weather. Appropriate footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended to safely navigate the terrain.

The castle site incorporates ancient quarries that supplied Totternhoe Stone, a durable chalk material used in the construction of Westminster Abbey. This locally sourced material directly contributed to one of England's most celebrated buildings.