Clan Rising
Folkestone Castle today

England · Ruin

Folkestone Castle

Folkestone Castle was a Norman fortification sited on a natural mound called Castle Hill north of the town of Folkestone, Kent. Only earthworks and terraced banks survive today after medieval occupation and later excavation; the site affords wide views over the town, Romney Marsh and the Channel coast.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1095

Its prime

1150

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1150

What Folkestone Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on the rounded summit of Castle Hill, the castle occupied a worked natural mound on a spur of the North Downs overlooking town and coast. The summit formed a flattened, enclosed platform ringed by concentric earthen banks and shallow ditches that step down the hillside into wooded scarps. The slopes show clear terracing and embankments; the site in its prime would read as a defined grassy fortification platform visible against the skyline.

Its story

The story of Folkestone Castle.

Folkestone Castle stood on a natural mound on a spur of the North Downs north of the town of Folkestone, Kent. Probably constructed as early as 1095 and certainly occupied for some time following the Norman invasion, the castle existed through the late 11th and 12th centuries. Known locally as "Caesar's Camp", it is not actually Roman at all.

The site was excavated in 1878 by Augustus Pitt Rivers, claimed to be the first excavation of a medieval site in Britain using scientific methods. Only earthworks survive on Castle Hill, which affords splendid views over the town and coast, from Folkestone across Romney Marsh to Dungeness, Rye and Fairlight, and now overlooks the end of the M20 motorway and the Channel Tunnel entrance at Cheriton.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1150.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Folkestone Castle, including the full exterior approach. 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 FolkestoneSummit earthworksInner ditch and bankSite of Pitt-Rivers excavationWestern scarp terracesView south to Romney Marsh and Dungeness

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Folkestone Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1150, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Folkestone Castle.

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, EnglandMuseumRomney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway13 km awaySt Martin's Church, EnglandChurchSt Martin's Church21 km awayCanterbury Cathedral, EnglandCathedralCanterbury Cathedral21 km away

Questions about Folkestone Castle

What is the history of Folkestone Castle?

Folkestone Castle was a Norman fortification probably constructed as early as 1095 and occupied through the late 11th and 12th centuries. It stood on a natural mound on a spur of the North Downs, following the Norman invasion. Augustus Pitt Rivers excavated the site in 1878, and only its earthworks survive today.

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

Folkestone Castle was built as a Norman fortification and was occupied for some time following the Norman invasion. It stood on a natural mound on a spur of the North Downs, rather than serving as a later palace or residence. The site was used through the late 11th and 12th centuries.

Where is Folkestone Castle?

Folkestone Castle is on Castle Hill, north of Folkestone in Kent. It stands on a spur of the North Downs overlooking the town and coast. Views extend across Romney Marsh towards Dungeness, Rye and Fairlight.

When was Folkestone Castle built?

Folkestone Castle was probably first raised in 1095. It belonged to the late 11th and 12th centuries, when the Norman fortification was occupied. The site's first-raised year and its recorded inception are both 1095.

What did Folkestone Castle look like in its prime?

Folkestone Castle was a defined grassy fortification platform on the rounded summit of Castle Hill. Its flattened summit was enclosed by concentric earthen banks and shallow ditches, with terracing and embankments stepping down the wooded slopes. The worked natural mound stood on a spur of the North Downs overlooking the town and coast.

Is Folkestone Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Folkestone Castle is a ruin, with only earthworks and terraced banks surviving. The summit platform, concentric earthen banks, shallow ditches and hillside terraces remain after medieval occupation and later excavation. No standing stone castle survives on Castle Hill.

More castles of England

Salcombe Castle, EnglandSalcombe CastleClavering Castle, EnglandClavering CastlePlymouth Castle, EnglandPlymouth Castle
All castles of England · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.