Richmont Castle
Richmont Castle, also known as Richmond Castle, is a ruined medieval fortification situated in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England. The site lies near the village of Blagdon, within the civil parish of Ubley, and the remains are a scheduled ancient monument of considerable historical interest. Though little survives above ground today, the castle represents a significant chapter in Somerset's Norman and medieval past, making it a rewarding destination for those with an interest in history, archaeology, or the quieter pleasures of English countryside exploration. Its remote and overgrown character gives it an atmospheric quality quite distinct from the more visited and curated castle ruins found elsewhere in the West Country.
The castle's origins lie in the Norman period, likely dating to the late eleventh or twelfth century. It is believed to have been constructed by the de Villula or a related Norman noble family following the Conquest, serving as a manorial stronghold in this part of the Mendips. The name "Richmont" is thought to derive from the Norman French for "rich hill" or "strong hill," reflecting the site's elevated and defensible position. At its height, the castle would have functioned as a seat of local lordly power, overseeing the surrounding agricultural lands and managing the interests of whichever noble family held the estate. Over the centuries, as feudal structures shifted and the strategic importance of such minor fortifications diminished, Richmont Castle fell into decline and was gradually abandoned and dismantled, its stone likely quarried for use in local buildings — a fate common to many such smaller medieval sites across England.
Physically, what remains today is modest but evocative. The earthworks — including a raised motte (the mound upon which the tower or keep would have stood) and traces of a bailey — are the most visually legible features of the site. There is no standing masonry of any height, and the ruins have long been consumed by vegetation, including mature trees, brambles, and rough grassland. Visiting the site in person involves navigating somewhat uneven, overgrown terrain, and the experience rewards patience and imagination. In quieter seasons, especially autumn or winter when vegetation thins, the outlines of the earthworks become more legible to a careful observer. The sounds of the site are those of the surrounding countryside — birdsong, wind moving through the trees, and the distant sounds of farm life — which together contribute to a deeply peaceful and slightly melancholy atmosphere.
The landscape around Richmont Castle is typical of the northern Mendip fringe: rolling hills, hedgerow-lined lanes, and a patchwork of pasture and woodland. The village of Blagdon lies close by, and nearby Blagdon Lake, a large reservoir popular for trout fishing and birdwatching, is a prominent feature of the local landscape. The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds the region, and the broader area offers excellent walking, with the West Mendip Way and various local footpaths criss-crossing the hills. Cheddar Gorge lies to the south-west, and the historic city of Wells is within comfortable reach, making this part of Somerset rich in heritage and natural attractions for any visitor spending time in the area.
Visiting Richmont Castle requires some preparation, as the site is not maintained or formally managed as a visitor attraction. There are no facilities, no signage, and no entry fee. Access is on foot via public rights of way, and visitors should wear appropriate footwear given the rough terrain. The postcode BS40 6BG provides a general orientation, and the site lies within rural farmland, so visitors should be respectful of the countryside and any private land boundaries. The best time to visit is spring or autumn, when the light is gentle, the vegetation manageable, and the earthworks at their most visible. It is a site that rewards those who seek it out deliberately rather than stumbling upon it, and it is best approached with an OS map or a reliable GPS device.
One of the more compelling aspects of Richmont Castle is precisely its obscurity. Unlike the grand ruins of Nunney or Farleigh Hungerford, also in Somerset, Richmont has slipped almost entirely from public awareness, yet it is a genuine scheduled monument with legal protections reflecting its archaeological importance. The very absence of signage, crowds, and interpretation panels gives the site an authenticity that more famous ruins sometimes lack. For those who enjoy seeking out forgotten places — the quiet corners of England's medieval past that history has largely passed by — Richmont Castle represents something close to an ideal: a real and ancient site, embedded in a beautiful landscape, asking nothing of its visitor except curiosity and a willingness to look carefully at the earth beneath their feet.