Bottreaux Castle
Bottreaux Castle is a 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle overlooking the River Jordan at Boscastle in Cornwall. Only earthworks remain today; the site is now a public park and contains a war memorial. The castle fell into decay in the later Middle Ages and survives as a scheduled monument.
Its prime
1180
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1180
What Bottreaux Castle looked like in its prime.
A compact 12th‑century motte-and-bailey set on a steep rocky spur above the River Jordan, dominated by a pronounced conical earthen motte beside a lower enclosed bailey; both are ringed by a broad ditch and earth ramparts. At its height the motte is crowned by a small timberKeep or simple stone foundation and the bailey is protected by a continuous wooden palisade and a single gatehouse on the landward approach, all overlooking the harbour and town below.
Its story
The story of Bottreaux Castle.
Bottreaux Castle was a 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle overlooking the River Jordan at Boscastle in Cornwall, held by the Bottreaux family, who were ennobled by Edward III as Barons Botreaux. An early account describes it as "seated on a bad harbour of the North sea, & suburbed with a poore market town, yet entitling the owner in times past, with the stile of a Baron".
The last member of the Bottreaux family died in 1462, and the castle soon fell into decay. Only earthworks remain today; the site is now a public park containing a war memorial, and is protected as a scheduled monument.
Step inside
6 places to explore in 1180.
The record describes 6 distinct spots at Bottreaux Castle, including 1 interior: prison chambers reportedly within the castle. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Build Your Own Castle
Recreate Bottreaux Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1180, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
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Clans who held Bottreaux Castle.
The families that held Bottreaux Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.
Botreaux
Seat of the Bottreaux family, ennobled by Edward III as Barons Botreaux, until the line ended in 1462.
