Historic Places in Surrey

Allington Castle near Maidstone in Kent is a restored medieval castle on the banks of the River Medway, the ancestral home of the Wyatt family and the birthplace in 1503 of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, the poet credited with introducing the sonnet form to English literature. The castle dates from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and was substantially rebuilt in the Tudor period by the Wyatt family. It was later acquired and carefully restored in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by Lord Conway of Allington, who transformed the ruinous building into a habitable and architecturally convincing medieval castle. The castle was subsequently used as a Carmelite friary for many decades before returning to private ownership. Set within attractive grounds beside the Medway with views across the river, Allington Castle provides a combination of medieval heritage, literary associations and Kent riverside scenery.

Reigate Castle sits in the heart of Reigate town in Surrey, not South West England as initially suggested, perched on a sandstone ridge that has given the settlement its strategic importance for nearly a millennium. The castle grounds now form a beloved public park, offering visitors a rare combination of medieval heritage and Victorian landscaping in an easily accessible urban setting. What remains today is primarily the atmospheric ruins and earthworks of a once-formidable Norman fortress, along with a remarkable cave system carved into the sandstone beneath. The site has evolved from military stronghold to baronial residence to municipal pleasure ground, each phase leaving its mark on this layered landscape. The castle was established shortly after the Norman Conquest, likely in the 1080s, as part of William the Conqueror's network of fortifications designed to control the routes into London from the south coast. Built by William de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey, it commanded the vital route through the North Downs and served as an administrative center for the surrounding lands. The original structure was a motte-and-bailey design, though this was later rebuilt in stone during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The castle passed through various noble hands over the medieval period, including periods of ownership by powerful families such as the de Warennes and later the Howards. By the Tudor period, the castle's military significance had waned, and it gradually fell into disrepair, with much of the stonework being robbed for building materials in later centuries. What makes Reigate Castle particularly fascinating is the extensive network of medieval caves tunneled into the soft sandstone beneath the castle mound. These caves, accessible to visitors, were likely used for storage, possibly for provisions and wine, and they extend in various chambers and passages beneath the bailey. Walking through these cool, echoing spaces offers an immediate connection to the medieval past, with tool marks still visible on the walls where workers carved out the soft stone. The caves maintain a constant temperature year-round and create an almost otherworldly atmosphere, lit now by electric lighting but easy to imagine by flickering torchlight. Some local legends suggest the caves were used as secret passages or hiding places during times of conflict, though their primary function was almost certainly more mundane. Above ground, the castle remains consist primarily of earthworks—the raised motte and the surrounding bailey—along with fragments of stone walling and the base of what was likely the gatehouse. The most substantial surviving structure is actually Victorian: a Gothic-style arch and tunnel entrance built in the nineteenth century when the grounds were transformed into a public park. This baronial gateway, constructed from the same sandstone as the medieval castle, creates a romantically picturesque entrance to the grounds and reflects the Victorian fascination with medieval heritage. The castle mound itself can be climbed, offering pleasant views over Reigate town and the surrounding Surrey countryside, with the North Downs rising to the south. The castle grounds encompass several acres of parkland, laid out with winding paths, mature trees, and well-maintained lawns that make it a popular spot for local residents. The park has a peaceful, intimate character, enclosed by the medieval earthworks and later planting, creating a green oasis in the town center. In spring, daffodils carpet parts of the grounds, while the mature trees provide shade and habitat for birds throughout the year. The sound environment alternates between birdsong and the distant hum of traffic from the modern town that has grown up around this ancient site. On sunny afternoons, the park fills with families, dog walkers, and people seeking a quiet bench to read, while the caves below remain cool and tranquil regardless of the weather above. The castle's position in central Reigate means it is surrounded by the amenities of a thriving market town. Bell Street, with its mix of independent shops and cafes, runs close to the western edge of the park. The Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene, a medieval church with its own rich history, stands just to the north. Priory Park, another green space with its own historical associations, lies nearby, and together these spaces form a network of heritage sites within easy walking distance. The town retains much Georgian and Victorian architecture alongside more modern development, giving Reigate a comfortable, prosperous character as a commuter town while preserving pockets of historical interest. Reaching Reigate Castle is straightforward, particularly by public transport. Reigate railway station, served by regular trains from London Victoria and London Bridge, is approximately fifteen minutes' walk from the castle grounds, making it an easy day trip from the capital. The station connects to the castle via the town center, allowing visitors to explore Reigate's shops and cafes en route. For those driving, Reigate is accessible via the M25 and A217, with public car parks in the town center within walking distance of the castle. The park itself is open during daylight hours year-round with free admission, while the caves are typically open on weekend afternoons from April to September, operated by volunteers from the Castle Arch Heritage group, though it's worth checking current opening times before visiting specifically for the caves. The best times to visit depend on what you hope to experience. Spring brings the daffodils and fresh green growth, while summer offers the longest days and the best chance of finding the caves open. Autumn can be particularly atmospheric, with fallen leaves carpeting the paths and a softer light filtering through the trees. Winter visits have their own stark beauty, with the earthworks and remaining stonework more visible through bare branches, though the caves are generally closed during these months. The park's central location means it can be visited easily as part of a wider exploration of Reigate, perhaps combined with a walk on the nearby North Downs or a visit to one of the town's historic pubs. Access to the park is generally good, with several entrance points and mostly level paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, though the castle mound itself involves steep slopes and uneven ground. The caves, by their nature, involve stairs and uneven surfaces and would not be accessible to those with significant mobility limitations. There are no facilities within the castle grounds themselves, but public toilets and cafes are available in the nearby town center. Dogs are welcome in the park and it's a popular spot for local dog walkers, adding to its community feel. One particularly intriguing aspect of Reigate Castle's history involves the Baron's Cave, the largest of the underground chambers, which has been the subject of antiquarian speculation for centuries. Some eighteenth and nineteenth-century writers fancifully suggested it was used by barons meeting before the signing of Magna Carta, though there's no historical evidence for this romantic notion. More prosaically but perhaps more interestingly, the caves have served various purposes over the centuries, including as air raid shelters during World War II, adding yet another layer to their long story. The sandstone from which both castle and caves were formed belongs to the Folkestone Beds of the Lower Greensand, the same geological formation that provided building stone for many Surrey buildings and creates the distinctive ridge on which Reigate sits, linking the castle's story to the deep geological time of the landscape itself.

Guildford Castle is located 30 miles south of London in centre of Guildford town. The castle's gardens and original shell keep are the only remaining parts of the castle complex still remaining. Constructed from light colored stone the two storey keep has been conserved with a new roof and floors with some crenellations visible. Facilities The tower is open daily between 10am and 5pm April to September 10am to 5pm and at weekends during March and October and the grounds open from 8am until dusk. Visitors can see inside the main tower where some rooms are open to the public and also gain access to the roof for views over the grounds. In addition the tower is also used to exhibit items related to the castle's history. The gatehouse is used as the Guildford Museum with local history and archaeology items on display as well as a specialist needlework collection. Guildford Castle was built by William the Conqueror after the battle of Hastings and was originally a Norman motte and bailey castle. Early in the 12th century the wooden defenses were replaced by a stone castle. A polygonal shell keep, a further two story square flanking keep and an outer bailey were all added in the 1130's and the keep became both a jail and the headquarters for the county sheriff. During the 13th century Henry III ordered improvements to be made. The great hall was decorated with paintings and colored glass windows, his apartments were painted green with gold and silver stars, he added a garden with marble columns and the bailey was extended with a set of rooms being built for his son Edward. The castle was never involved in any battles or sieges and from the 14th century started to fall into disrepair, by 1379 everything but the Kings chamber and the keep had fallen down. The keep continued to be used as a jail until 1544 when it relocated and the gardener John Daborne was left in charge. In 1611 King James I granted the castle to Francis Carter who removed the roof and rented out parts of the grounds for farming. In 1885 the current owner Lord Grantley sold the site to the Guildford Corporation who restored the walls and tower and opened it to the public. In 2003 a conservation and restoration project was started on the keep which revealed the original crenellations; a new floor and roof were also constructed.

Farnham Castle is situated in five acres of grounds overlooking the town of Farnham, near the border between Surrey and Hampshire . The main castle is a "shell keep" which is basically a stone structure surrounding the top of the enclosed motte. The keep, has buttress turrets and a gatehouse. The inner bailey has a number of buildings and a fifteenth-century entrance tower. The outer bailey curtain wall has square towers, a 13th-century gatehouse and a moat. The Bishop's Palace in the grounds is an impressive 17th century building and is open for guided tours. Facilities There is free parking near the entrance, and there are toilets at the castle. Access to the keep is via steep flights of uneven steps. Farnham castle was built in the 12th century and was the residence of the bishops of Winchester. The original Norman castle was demolished the 12th century and rebuilt again. The castle is a motte and bailey construction with the motte built around the foundations of the earlier Norman tower. There was also a larger outer Bailey surrounded by a curtain wall. The castle was partially destroyed after and Civil War in 1648 and a number of additional buildings have been built on the site since then, the most impressive of which is the Bishop's Palace built in the 17th century. The Bishop's Palace was restored in 2006 and The Keep was restored in 2010. have been restored. The castle is now used as a centre for training, conferences, events and weddings.

Reigate Caves are a fascinating network of hand-carved tunnels and chambers located beneath the town of Reigate in Surrey, England. These mysterious underground passages stretch for hundreds of feet beneath Castle Grounds and the town center, representing one of the most extensive systems of man-made caves in the country. The caves have captured the imagination of locals and visitors for centuries, their true purpose remaining a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists. What makes them particularly notable is their accessibility to the public and the remarkable preservation of medieval stonework, graffiti spanning several centuries, and architectural features that hint at their varied uses throughout history. The origins of Reigate Caves are believed to date back to medieval times, most likely to the thirteenth century, though some sections may be even older. The most widely accepted theory suggests they were originally dug as sand mines, as the soft sandstone beneath Reigate was highly valued for building purposes and was used in the construction of Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey among other notable structures. However, their subsequent uses transformed them into something far more intriguing than simple quarries. Over the centuries, the caves have served as storage areas, possible smugglers' hideouts, and air raid shelters during World War II. The walls bear witness to this rich history, covered in inscriptions and carvings dating from the seventeenth century onwards, including names, dates, and mysterious symbols that add to the atmospheric quality of the underground spaces. Descending into the Reigate Caves is an evocative experience that transports visitors back through layers of history. The temperature drops noticeably as you enter, remaining constant year-round at around fifty-two degrees Fahrenheit. The soft sandstone walls glow a warm ochre color under artificial lighting, and you can still see the marks of the tools used by miners centuries ago carved into the ceiling and walls. The chambers vary in size, some opening into surprisingly spacious rooms while others narrow into intimate passages that require you to duck your head. The acoustics are remarkable, with sounds carrying strangely through the tunnels, and there's a palpable sense of atmosphere enhanced by the knowledge that countless people have walked these same passages over eight centuries. The silence is profound, broken only by the occasional drip of water seeping through the sandstone above. The caves are located directly beneath Reigate's Castle Grounds, a public park that occupies the site of Reigate Castle, though little remains of the original medieval structure save for sections of the motte and some earthworks. The park itself is a pleasant green space with mature trees and commanding views across the Surrey countryside toward the North Downs. The town of Reigate is an attractive market town with a historic center featuring buildings from various periods, independent shops, and traditional pubs. The broader area is characterized by the rolling landscape of the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the chalk escarpment of the North Downs providing excellent walking opportunities. Nearby Reigate Heath offers heathland and woodland walks, while the town's position makes it convenient for exploring both the Surrey countryside and accessing London, which is approximately thirty miles to the north. The caves are accessed through a purpose-built entrance in the Tunnel Road car park, just off the main High Street in Reigate town center. They are managed by the Reigate Cave Preservation Society and typically open to the public on Saturday afternoons throughout most of the year, with guided tours led by knowledgeable volunteers who can illuminate the history and point out features easily missed by casual visitors. Access requires descending a staircase, and the floor can be uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The caves maintain a consistent cool temperature regardless of the weather above, so bringing a light jacket is advisable even in summer. Photography is permitted, though the low light conditions present a challenge without proper equipment. For those traveling by public transport, Reigate railway station is approximately a ten-minute walk from the cave entrance, with regular train services connecting to London, Gatwick Airport, and the south coast. By car, Reigate is easily accessible from Junction 8 of the M25 motorway via the A217, and there is parking available in the town center, including at the Tunnel Road car park where the cave entrance is located. The best time to visit depends on personal preference, though spring and autumn offer the advantage of pleasant weather for exploring the Castle Grounds and surrounding area before or after your underground tour. Because access is managed by volunteers and typically limited to specific times, it's essential to check the current opening schedule before making a special journey. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Reigate Caves is the sheer volume of historical graffiti preserved on their walls, creating an accidental archive of human presence spanning centuries. Among the inscriptions are the names and initials of people from the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, some accompanied by dates and occasional decorative flourishes. During World War II, when the caves served as an air raid shelter, they could accommodate over one thousand people, and some wartime graffiti remains visible alongside the much older markings. The sand extracted from these caves, known as firestone or hearthstone, had special properties that made it resistant to heat, which is why it was so prized for construction projects. The extent of the cave system beneath Reigate may actually be larger than what is currently accessible, with some passages blocked or collapsed over time, leading to speculation about undiscovered chambers that might still lie hidden beneath the town's streets and buildings.