Clan Rising
Ely Castle today

England · Ruin

Ely Castle

Ely Castle is the site of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Today the site survives as a grassy mound and earthworks in a public park; the original timber and earth fortifications no longer stand.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1080

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1080

What Ely Castle looked like in its prime.

A broad, steep-sided earthen motte rises from an open, gently sloping park, with lower, flattened earthwork banks of a surrounding bailey spreading beside it; no stone walls or masonry are visible in the photo. The site is set in trimmed grass with scattered deciduous trees and a shallow ditch around the base of the mound. At its prime the motte would have been surmounted by a timber keep and encircled by a wooden palisade, the bailey lined with timber buildings.

Its story

The story of Ely Castle.

William I raised a motte-and-bailey castle at Ely in 1070 during his conflict with Hereward the Wake, to subdue the Isle of Ely. Its probable site in the cathedral city is a mound near Ely Cathedral now called Cherry Hill.

A later castle on the site is credited to Bishop Nigel. Ely and its fortifications were captured in 1268 during the Second Barons' War, and the bishop's castle is thought to have been demolished soon afterwards. Nothing of the timber and earth defences stands; the site survives as a grassy mound and earthworks in a public park.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1080.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Ely Castle, including 2 interiors: summit with timber keep and palisade, bailey interior with timber buildings. 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 the parkBase of the motte and ditchSummit with timber keep and palisadeBailey interior with timber buildingsOuter bailey bank and surrounding landscapeView from the motte over the park

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Ely Castle.

Ely Cathedral, EnglandCathedralEly Cathedral0 km awayRAF Mildenhall, EnglandMilitary baseRAF Mildenhall15 km awayRAF Lakenheath, EnglandMilitary baseRAF Lakenheath20 km away

Questions about Ely Castle

What is the history of Ely Castle?

Ely Castle began in the 11th century as a motte-and-bailey castle raised by William I in 1070 to subdue the Isle of Ely during his conflict with Hereward the Wake. The motte was later refortified by Bishop Nigel in 1140, but surrendered to King Stephen. Ely and its fortifications were captured in 1268, and the bishop’s castle was thought to have been demolished soon afterwards.

Why was Ely Castle built, and what was it used for?

Ely Castle was built as a military stronghold to subdue the Isle of Ely. William I raised the motte-and-bailey castle during his conflict with Hereward the Wake, and it was later refortified by Bishop Nigel during the Anarchy. Once Ely was quiescent, the motte was abandoned, showing that its original military purpose had ended.

Where is Ely Castle?

Ely Castle is in Ely, Cambridgeshire, near Ely Cathedral. Its probable site is a mound now called Cherry Hill, within the cathedral city of Ely. The surviving site is set in a public park, with the mound and earthworks occupying an open grassy landscape.

When was Ely Castle built?

Ely Castle was built in the 11th century, in 1070. The site record does not give a first-raised year, but its curated history and the historical account place William I’s motte-and-bailey castle in 1070. It was later refortified in 1140 by Bishop Nigel, creating a further phase in the site’s history.

Was Ely Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Yes, Ely Castle was attacked and captured. Falkes de Breauté was said to have taken and destroyed a castle in Ely in 1216, while Ely and its fortifications were captured during the Second Barons’ War in 1268. The castle therefore did not hold during the documented 1268 assault; the bishop’s castle was thought to have been demolished soon afterwards.

What did Ely Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Ely Castle consisted of a broad, steep-sided earthen motte with a timber keep at the summit. A wooden palisade encircled the motte, while a surrounding bailey spread alongside it with timber buildings. Lower flattened earthwork banks and a shallow ditch completed the defensive layout.

Is Ely Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Ely Castle is a ruin, with only the mound and earthworks surviving. The original timber and earth fortifications no longer stand, and no stone walls or masonry are visible. Today the site survives as a grassy mound in a public park, although excavations in 2002 uncovered substantial evidence of the former settlement and defences.

Who built Ely Castle?

Ely Castle was built by William I. He raised the motte-and-bailey castle at Ely in 1070 during his conflict with Hereward the Wake, intending to subdue the Isle of Ely. The material does not name a separate architect or designer for the castle.

Can you visit Ely Castle?

Yes, the site of Ely Castle can be visited as a public park. The castle itself is no longer a standing building: visitors encounter a grassy mound and surviving earthworks, with no visible stone walls or masonry. Its probable site near Ely Cathedral is now called Cherry Hill.

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