Clan Rising
Cymbeline's Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Cymbeline's Castle

Cymbeline's Castle is the earthwork remains of a motte-and-bailey site northeast of Great Kimble in Buckinghamshire. The monument survives as a large circular motte surrounded on three sides by a ditch with two outer baileys beyond; nearby are other archaeological earthworks. It is a scheduled ancient monument.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1300

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1300

What Cymbeline's Castle looked like in its prime.

A broad, circular earthen motte about 42 metres in diameter rises from a shallow surrounding ditch that cuts around three sides; beyond the ditch lie two additional, lower baileys defined by grassy banks. The site sits within mixed deciduous woods, the motte summit a grassy round platform. No standing stone structures remain in the photo; the visible silhouette is defined by rounded earthworks, ditches and the tree-line, with another set of mounds and a moated enclosure visible a short distance to the west.

Its story

The story of Cymbeline's Castle.

Cymbeline's Castle is the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle in woods north-east of Great Kimble in Buckinghamshire: a motte about 42 metres in diameter, encircled on three sides by a ditch, with two further baileys beyond. Pottery of the 13th–15th centuries has been found within the baileys, Iron Age and Romano-British fragments to the east, and a short distance west lie another motte-and-bailey, a moated enclosure and a Roman villa.

The name links the site to the ancient British king Cunobeline (Cymbeline), though the association may be a Victorian invention; a theory that the nearby Kimble villages are also named for him has been discredited, the etymology describing the hill rather than the king. It is said that if one runs around the mound seven times, the devil will appear. The site is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1300.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Cymbeline's Castle, including 4 interiors: summit of the motte, inner bailey interior, outer bailey (secondary) interior and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from woodland trackSummit of the motteEdge of the ditch facing the motteInner bailey interiorOuter bailey (secondary) interiorView west to neighbouring earthworksBailey edge with archaeological traces

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Cymbeline's Castle.

Dinton Castle, EnglandLandmarkDinton Castle8 km awayWaddesdon Manor, EnglandMuseumWaddesdon Manor14 km awayCliveden, EnglandMuseumCliveden23 km away

Questions about Cymbeline's Castle

What is the history of Cymbeline's Castle?

Cymbeline's Castle is associated with the ancient British king Cunobeline, although that connection may be a Victorian invention. Pottery found within the baileys dates from the 13th–15th centuries, while Iron Age and Romano-British fragments were recovered to the east. Another motte-and-bailey, a moated enclosure and a Roman villa lie a short distance west.

What is inside Cymbeline's Castle / what can you see in it?

Inside Cymbeline's Castle are the grassy summit of the motte and the interiors of the inner and outer baileys. The site also contains a bailey edge with archaeological traces. No standing stone structures remain; the visible remains are rounded earthworks, ditches and grassy banks.

Where is Cymbeline's Castle?

Cymbeline's Castle is in woods north-east of Great Kimble in Buckinghamshire, within the administrative area of Ellesborough. Great Kimble is the nearest named settlement given for the site. Nearby are other archaeological earthworks, including another motte-and-bailey, a moated enclosure and a Roman villa.

When was Cymbeline's Castle built?

The date when Cymbeline's Castle was first raised is not recorded. Pottery found within its baileys dates from the 13th–15th centuries, providing an archaeological date range for activity at the site rather than a recorded construction date.

What did Cymbeline's Castle look like in its prime?

At its fullest visible extent, Cymbeline's Castle consisted of a broad circular earthen motte about 42 metres in diameter. A shallow ditch cuts around three sides, with two lower baileys beyond it, defined by grassy banks. The motte summit is a grassy round platform within mixed deciduous woodland.

Is Cymbeline's Castle still standing / is it a ruin?

Cymbeline's Castle is a partial ruin: its earthworks survive, but no standing stone structures remain. The principal remains are a large circular motte, a ditch around three sides and two outer baileys, with grassy banks and archaeological traces.

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