GUILDFORD CASTLE

Surrey

Guildford Castle is without a doubt the most impressive in Surrey - not a county packed with Castles of any kind, let alone impressive ones.  There was a Castle here from quite early times, probably originally in wood.  It seems likely it was always a Royal Castle.  A shell keep (bizarrely built of chalk) was added at some point, part of which remains (see photo), although it is dominated by the later square keep built more sensibly of local Bargate rubble.

Large expenditure was made on the Castle in Henry II's reign, and this seems an obvious point for construction of the square keep.  Both King John and Henry III came to Guildford often, but from the 13th to 17th centuries Guildford served merely as the County Gaol.

Little or no action seems to have occurred at the Castle and it stands today in a very attractive municipal park.  The keep is open during the summer months.

Back to Castles of Surrey Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2010