Cary Castle, Motte-and-bailey castle ruins in Castle Cary, England
Cary Castle is the ruin of a Norman fortification on Lodge Hill, on the edge of the town of Castle Cary in Somerset, England. What remains today are earthwork banks, ditches, and the foundations of a square tower that once anchored the site.
The fortification was most likely built shortly after the Norman conquest in the 11th century and played a role during the civil wars of the following century. It gradually fell out of use and was abandoned as the region's power shifted elsewhere.
The town's name preserves the memory of the medieval fortress that once dominated the hilltop. Local residents connect the ruins to their community identity and stories of when this elevated site held power and protection.
The hill is freely accessible at any time and requires no ticket. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the grassed slopes can get slippery after rain.
After the castle was abandoned, local people took its stones and used them in their own buildings. Traces of this medieval material can still be spotted in some of the older walls around Castle Cary town centre.
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