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HER 1664 - Guildford Castle

Scheduled Monument
Guildford Castle consists of a keep on a mound, and two baileys stretching in line from the keep towards the river. The mound is surrounded by a wide ditch. On top of the mound there still remains a piece of wall of a polygonal shell keep which existed long before the present keep was built. Only fragments now remain of the defences and buildings of the bailey, dating from the 12th century. Parts of the inner gateway date to 1300 and walls are incorporated in a 17th century house adjacent to the gateway. The keep stands on the east slope of the mound, projecting outward from the old shell wall, which was broken through for its reception. The keep was built circa 1150. The castle is first mentioned in 1173-4, when it was repaired for £26. In 1202 it is mentioned as a prison. In 1246, a hall and chamber were built on the mound for the use of the Sheriffs of Surrey. References to the royal palace south-east of the keep are numerous during the latter half of Henry III's reign. The place was not regarded as a fortress in the Civil wars, and the keep is said to have been dismantled and the roof taken away in 1680. The site was brought by the corporation in 1886 and laid out as gardens. The castle mound with traces of surrounding ditch, is still a prominent feature although the slopes have been somewhat mutilated by the construction of the public gardens in which it stands. The remains of the early shell keep (probably late 11th or early 12th century) are represented by two fragments of walling. To the immediate south-west of the mound are the remains of domestic buildings and at the west end of the lane called Castle Hill a gateway (Castle Arch) with pointed arch and fragments of walling on each side. Some 50m south of the gateway and to the immediate east of Quarry Street are the remains of other buildings, the character of which is indeterminate but which are probably associated with the castle.

Data represented on the interactive map is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features. Further information

• View this record on Surrey's Interactive Map
• View the National Monument Record for this site.

Related Records

• SHHER_4828
• SHHER_5541
• SHHER_13526
• SHHER_13526

Archaeological History

Activity	Person & Organisation	Dates
trial trench	Poulton, R SCAU	2001-10-31
Location Surrey, Guildford, Effingham, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info SCAU Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Evaluation to assist with proposed remedial works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle Reference 07/12/01 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
field survey	Dyer, S	1995-07-01
Description Steve Dyer: Archaeological Consultant Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Dyer, S document more... Reference Guildford Castle, Motte Profiles Reference 01/01/95 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1992-07-06
Description Dates relate to the third season of excavation. The project stemmed from 1990 to 1994.` Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1992 and a review of the project 1990-1992 Reference Unknown when report was written although post July 1992 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1993-07-05
Description The dates relate to the fourth season of excavations. The project ran from 1990-1994. Two copies of report in HER Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1993 and a review of the project 1990-93. Reference Date that the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1993. Two copies held in HER. Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-01-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 1 :Text Reference 31/07/00 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-01-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 2: Figures and Tables Reference 31/07/00 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-07-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Council and Surrey Archaeological Society Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Excavations in 1990 Reference The date which the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1990. Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
desk-based research	Poulton, R SCAU	1995-08-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference The Archaeological Implications of the Proposed Foundations for Guildford Museum Extension in the Castle Grounds, Guildford Reference 18/08/95 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
watching brief	Poulton, R SCAU	2003-10-16
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Investigation Prior to Remedial Works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford Reference 20/10/03 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	2004-02-18
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Excavation Prior to Remedial Work to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford. Reference 07/06/04 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
Ref: Victoria County History of Surrey Ref: 31/12/1911	3	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/1901	16	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/97	84	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/97	84	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/02	89	Surrey HER		31
Ref: An Archaeological Evaluation to assist with proposed remedial works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle Ref: 07/12/01		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle, Motte Profiles Ref: 01/01/95		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: A Medieval Royal Complex at Guildford Ref: 31/12/05 Ref: ISBN 0954146050		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/92	81	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/94	82	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: A Historical and Archaeological Assessment of the Wey and Godalming Navigations and their visual envelopes: Volume 2: archaeological inventory, part 1 Ref: 30/09/96 Ref: Volume 2: archaeological inventory, part 1	2	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1993 and a review of the project 1990-93. Ref: Date that the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1993. Two copies held in HER.		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1992 and a review of the project 1990-1992 Ref: Unknown when report was written although post July 1992		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 1 :Text Ref: 31/07/00		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 2: Figures and Tables Ref: 31/07/00		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Excavations in 1990 Ref: The date which the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1990.		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: The Archaeological Implications of the Proposed Foundations for Guildford Museum Extension in the Castle Grounds, Guildford Ref: 18/08/95		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: An Archaeological Investigation Prior to Remedial Works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford Ref: 20/10/03		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: An Archaeological Excavation Prior to Remedial Work to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford. Ref: 07/06/04		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/96	83	Surrey HER1 part		31

Source

Details	Volume	Holding Information	Publisher Information	Pages
trial trench	Poulton, R SCAU	2001-10-31
Location Surrey, Guildford, Effingham, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info SCAU Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Evaluation to assist with proposed remedial works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle Reference 07/12/01 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
field survey	Dyer, S	1995-07-01
Description Steve Dyer: Archaeological Consultant Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Dyer, S document more... Reference Guildford Castle, Motte Profiles Reference 01/01/95 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1992-07-06
Description Dates relate to the third season of excavation. The project stemmed from 1990 to 1994.` Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1992 and a review of the project 1990-1992 Reference Unknown when report was written although post July 1992 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1993-07-05
Description The dates relate to the fourth season of excavations. The project ran from 1990-1994. Two copies of report in HER Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1993 and a review of the project 1990-93. Reference Date that the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1993. Two copies held in HER. Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-01-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 1 :Text Reference 31/07/00 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-01-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 2: Figures and Tables Reference 31/07/00 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	1990-07-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Council and Surrey Archaeological Society Poulton, R document more... Reference Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Excavations in 1990 Reference The date which the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1990. Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
desk-based research	Poulton, R SCAU	1995-08-01
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference The Archaeological Implications of the Proposed Foundations for Guildford Museum Extension in the Castle Grounds, Guildford Reference 18/08/95 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
watching brief	Poulton, R SCAU	2003-10-16
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Investigation Prior to Remedial Works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford Reference 20/10/03 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
area excavation	Poulton, R SCAU	2004-02-18
Location Surrey, Guildford, Guildford, Grid Reference SU 997 492 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Excavation Prior to Remedial Work to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford. Reference 07/06/04 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
Ref: Victoria County History of Surrey Ref: 31/12/1911	3	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/1901	16	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/97	84	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/97	84	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/02	89	Surrey HER		31
Ref: An Archaeological Evaluation to assist with proposed remedial works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle Ref: 07/12/01		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle, Motte Profiles Ref: 01/01/95		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: A Medieval Royal Complex at Guildford Ref: 31/12/05 Ref: ISBN 0954146050		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/92	81	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/94	82	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: A Historical and Archaeological Assessment of the Wey and Godalming Navigations and their visual envelopes: Volume 2: archaeological inventory, part 1 Ref: 30/09/96 Ref: Volume 2: archaeological inventory, part 1	2	Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1993 and a review of the project 1990-93. Ref: Date that the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1993. Two copies held in HER.		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: The excavations in 1992 and a review of the project 1990-1992 Ref: Unknown when report was written although post July 1992		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 1 :Text Ref: 31/07/00		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Investigations Vol 2: Figures and Tables Ref: 31/07/00		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Guildford Castle and Royal Palace: Archaeological Excavations in 1990 Ref: The date which the report was written is unknown although it is post July 1990.		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: The Archaeological Implications of the Proposed Foundations for Guildford Museum Extension in the Castle Grounds, Guildford Ref: 18/08/95		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: An Archaeological Investigation Prior to Remedial Works to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford Ref: 20/10/03		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: An Archaeological Excavation Prior to Remedial Work to the Castle Keep, Guildford Castle, Guildford. Ref: 07/06/04		Surrey HER1 part		31
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/96	83	Surrey HER1 part		31

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