Cambridge Castle

Cambridge Castle was a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress built in the medieval period on what is now Castle Hill in central Cambridge, England; most above-ground structures have been lost and the motte remains as a public mound.

The surviving feature is the large earthen motte or mound that once supported a timber or stone keep; it sits within a small public park and is interpreted with information panels. Archaeological and documentary evidence show the site later contained gaols and administrative buildings rather than a continuously functioning royal stronghold.

Originally established soon after the Norman Conquest, the castle complex was modified over the medieval and later periods and largely dismantled by the early modern era, leaving little masonry above ground. The motte remains a focal historic landmark within the city fabric.

The site is on Castle Hill near the River Cam and the city centre of Cambridge, easily accessible from central transport points and within walking distance of the main collegiate areas.

• Surviving remains: Only earthworks and fragmentary foundations survive on the site; the mound provides a clear view over the city and is on a public open space.

What to See #

• Castle Mound (motte): The motte - a large earthwork mound that marks the castle's summit and is the most visible surviving element, accessible as a public viewing platform.