Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Binbury Castle
Hob Uid: 418603
Location : Kent Maidstone Thurnham
Grid Ref : TQ8115060230
Summary : Binbury Castle comprises a fine motte which retains the majority of its enclosing ditch. The bailey is no longer traceable except on the NE side where, on the line of the curtain wall at the point where the bailey joined the ditch of the motte, there is a mural tower, the remains of a mediaeval manor-house . This is oblong on plan measuring 4.5m x 3.3m internally, and stands to a height of about 7.5m; its walls of knapped flint with ragstone quoins are 1.9m thick. It is heavily buttressed on its NE face and altered elsewhere by the insertion of brick chimneys and various building additions. The remains of the curtain wall are visible on its SW wall and are traceable as footings for the few metres NW from there to the edge of the ditch. The site lies within the boundary of a disused airfield and although the barns are still in use the farmhouse proper - Binbury Manor - has been demolished.
More information : [TQ 8115 6023] Motte & Bailey [NR]. (1) Binbury Castle consists of an oval artficial mound 35 feet high, surrounded by a ditch. A courtyard protected by a stone wall existed on the south-east, portions of the wall remain, also a small tower, but there is no trace of a rampart and ditch to the bailey. On the west side is a small outer rampart or scarp [AO/61/285/6] (2) There was a Norman Motte & Bailey castle here. To the east of the remaining mound are some remains of a medieval manor house. (3) Binbury Castle is situated on the northern slope of the N. Downs, its remains are scanty and consist of a large oval mound, the summit of which measures 95 ft. by 160 ft. and it is surrounded by a deep ditch about 60 ft. wide. The mound has been somewhat reduced in height, and its material used to fill up the ditch enclosing the bailey, the site of which is occupied by the Manor House of Binbury and its farm buildings. It is classed as an earth and timber motte and bailey. (A short history of the Manor of Binbury is given). (4) Binbury Castle comprises a fine motte which retains the majority of its enclosing ditch. The bailey is no longer traceable except on the NE side where, on the line of the curtain wall at the point where the bailey joined the ditch of the motte, there is a mural tower. (The remains of a mediaeval manor-house - T4). This is oblong on plan measuring 4.5m x 3.3m internally, and stands to a height of about 7.5m; its walls of knapped flint with ragstone quoins are 1.9m thick. It is heavily buttressed on its NE face and altered elsewhere by the insertion of brick chimneys and various building additions. The remains of the curtain wall are visible on its SW wall and are traceable as footings for the few metres NW from there to the edge of the ditch. The site lies within the boundary of a disused airfield and although the barns are still in use the farmhouse proper - Binbury Manor - has been demolished. GP AO/61/73/1 Tower from S.W. (5) Published 25" survey correct. (6) Binbury Castle. Scheduled No 186. (7) Additional bibliography. (8-12)

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Source details : OS 6" 1961
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Source Number : 9b
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Source details : The Builder 32 1874 625-6 (Clark)
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Source Number : 9c
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Source details : Some Kentish Castles 1907 31-3 (H Sands)
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Source details : Gazetteer Part 1: KD14
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Source details : MHLG Hollingbourn RD Kent Nov 1960 85
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Source details : Memorials of Old Kent 1907 180-2 (ed P H Ditchfield)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 CFW 20-JUL-61
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Source details : F2 ASP 12-JUL-63
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : DOE (IAM) AMs Eng 2 1978 112
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Source Number : 8
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Source Number : 9
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Source Number : 9a
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Source details : The Builder 27 1869 350
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Manor House, Interval Tower, Motte And Bailey
Evidence : Earthwork, Ruined Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : KE 186
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External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 23033
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External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 86 SW 2
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1961-11-20
End Date : 1961-11-20

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1963-07-12
End Date : 1963-07-12

Historic England Research Records

Binbury Castle