Burwell Castle

Burwell Castle is the earthwork remains of an unfinished 12th-century castle on the edge of the village of Burwell in East Cambridgeshire, England. It is a quiet, atmospheric site for anyone interested in medieval history and the troubled years of the civil war known as the Anarchy.

What is Burwell Castle?

The castle was an enclosure castle, a defended area ringed by banks and ditches rather than a single tall keep. It was never completed, which is exactly what makes it interesting today: the layout of an unfinished fortress survives in the ground. The site is a protected monument, listed by Historic England.

Why was it built?

According to records, the castle was part of a chain of defences raised by the forces of King Stephen in 1143-44. Their aim was to contain Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, a rebel who had seized the Isle of Ely and turned the surrounding fens into a stronghold. A reference in the Ramsey Abbey cartulary to a castle "newly built at Burwell" in August 1144 fits this picture.

What happened to Geoffrey de Mandeville?

In 1144 de Mandeville was fatally wounded at Burwell while the castle was still under construction. According to Historic England, he was hit by an arrow shot from the ramparts. Other accounts say he withdrew to nearby Mildenhall and died of the wound there. Either way, his death removed the threat, and the castle lost its purpose.

Was it ever finished?

A 2016 study in the journal Landscape History offered the most comprehensive assessment of the site to date and supported the view that the twelfth-century castle was left incomplete. A stone gatehouse was nevertheless built, which indicates the place saw some further occupation. The site was finally abandoned in the 15th century.

Is there anything older on the site?

Some accounts place a Romano-British temple complex on the site as well, and Burwell was an early medieval centre long before the castle appeared. Layers of history overlap here, which is part of the appeal for visitors who like reading a landscape.

What can you see today?

Expect banks, ditches and grassy earthworks rather than standing towers. Imagination does a lot of the work, so it helps to read about the 1144 events before you go. The site suits a short, relaxed stop combined with a walk around the village.

Frequently asked questions

Is Burwell Castle a ruin with walls? No. What survives are mainly earthworks, the banks and ditches of the enclosure.

Why is the castle unfinished? The leading explanation is that Geoffrey de Mandeville, the rebel it was meant to contain, was fatally wounded there in 1144, so the work lost its purpose.

Where is it? In Burwell, East Cambridgeshire, in the fenland edge area north-east of Cambridge.

Who protects the site? It is a scheduled and listed monument recorded by Historic England.