Montacute Castle

Montacute Castle in Montacute, Somerset, is not a walled fortress you can wander through. It is the earthwork remains of a Norman motte-and-bailey stronghold, shaped out of St Michael's Hill. The banks and terraces survive, and an 18th-century folly tower on the summit gives views across three counties.

What was the castle at Montacute?

The castle was most likely raised around 1068 by Robert, Count of Mortain, half-brother of William the Conqueror. The hilltop was shaped into a steep mound (the motte), with a defended enclosure (the bailey) on the south-eastern slope and an outer terrace running round the hill. A chapel dedicated to St Michael stood here and was still in use in 1315. By 1540 the antiquary John Leland recorded the castle as a ruin, and stone was gradually carted away until the buildings vanished.

The site is a scheduled monument (Historic England list entry 1008466), protected since 1933. The tower on top is excluded from the scheduling.

What can you see on the hill?

The main landmark is the folly tower, around 15 metres tall, built in 1760 by Edward Phelips V of nearby Montacute House. A spiral staircase leads up inside, and from the top you can look over Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. The tower is cared for by the National Trust. The rest of the interest lies in the ground itself: the steep cone, the terrace lines and slopes show how medieval builders used a natural hill as a ready-made defence.

How do you get there?

Start at the Castle Hill car park in Montacute. A short but fairly steep path climbs to the summit. The hill sits right beside the village, a few minutes from the centre. Montacute House, the Renaissance mansion run by the National Trust nearby, is a separate attraction and should not be confused with the castle site.

Which walk should you choose?

The National Trust describes a St Michael's Hill walk of about 2 miles through parkland and apple orchards, passing the sites of the medieval castle and a Cluniac priory. Roughly halfway, a short detour leads to Hamdon Hill Country Park, home to an Iron Age hill fort, and to the Prince of Wales pub, whose terrace has views. Livestock graze the fields, so keep dogs on a lead.

When should you visit?

The hill works as a walk all year, but clear days in spring, summer and autumn give the best outlook, and the orchards add colour in autumn. The slope can be slippery after rain, so wear sturdy shoes. Allow about an hour for a visit including the tower.

Frequently asked questions

Are there castle walls left at Montacute? No. The stone was removed for reuse, and what remains are the earthworks: motte, bailey and terrace. The later folly tower crowns the summit.

Is Montacute Castle the same as Montacute House? No. Montacute House is a late 16th-century Renaissance mansion at the foot of the hill. The castle is the medieval earthwork on St Michael's Hill.

Can you climb the tower? The tower belongs to the National Trust and is open to visitors, with a spiral staircase inside and views over three counties from the top. Check the National Trust website for current access arrangements.

Is the climb hard? It is short but steep. From the Castle Hill car park it takes a few minutes to a quarter of an hour, and most walkers in comfortable footwear manage it.