Tonbridge Castle and Grounds
| The fascinating history of Tonbridge Castle starts with the famous battle of 1066, when William of Normandy invaded neighbouring Sussex to seize the crown from King Harold. Amongst William’s noblemen was a man named Richard Fitzgilbert, who had left his family and estate in Brionne to follow the conqueror. William rewarded Fitzgilbert’s loyalty and devotion with lands at Tonbridge. Here he built an impressive castle made of timber and mud. A deep, circular ditch was dug with the removed spoil being thrown into the middle to form the motte. Beside the motte lay the bailey (a second fenced area) where accommodation, stabling and stores were built. On the motte’s summit, a tall tower was built from timber surrounded by a wooden palisade. |  |
| Sadly this historic building was not to survive. just two decades later, the nobleman Richard and his son Gilbert joined a local Baron’s uprising against William of Normandy’s successor, William Rufus. Armed forces were sent to Tonbridge Castle and it was completely destroyed. The land, however, was to remain in the Fitzgilbert family for the next two and a half centuries, and a massive, fortified stone castle eventually replaced the original wooden structure. In the second half of the 13th century, a Gatehouse was added, which became known as the finest in Britain. | Within the remains of the castle today, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of medieval times, and explore nine centuries of dramatic history. Exhibition areas have vignettes of life in the castle - servants drawing water from the 38ft well; beeswax and parchment-wrapped soap, provisions and costly spices in a basement store; the armoury, where chain mail coats are wrapped in oiled cloth, and swords kept in barrels of sawdust to stop rust. An audio-visual display recounts the story of the castle. Visitors are guided around the Gatehouse and grounds by personal headset tour available in English, French or German. |
Tonbridge Castle stands in 14 acres of spectacular grounds that are open free of charge to the public. The grounds are readily accessible and visitors can wander at their own pace along the trail that winds around the motte and bailey site, following a numbered series of information panels. Wheelchair access to the gatehouse is limited to the ground floor only.
Despite disappointment over the Heritage Lottery Fund's decision not to grant aid for an earlier scheme aimed at re-roofing the Gatehouse, Tonbridge and Malling Council financed a project to complete both the ground and first floor levels and repair the spiral staircase in the south east tower. This allows visitors to enjoy a circular tour with more space for interpretation, school visit groups and weddings. Visitors from England, France, Germany and Holland will be able to enjoy a revitalised and enhanced audio tour in their own native tongue. Enhanced interpretation will help to bring 900 years of history to life.
Opening Times
The Castle grounds are open all year.
For further information Tel:- (01732) 770929
A Kentish Wedding at Tonbridge Castle.
The Council Chamber in the mansion house adjoining Tonbridge Castle Gatehouse is licensed for civil marriages. To find out more about a Kentish Wedding at Tonbridge Castle please Telephone: (01732) 770929.