Abinger Castle

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title: "Abinger Castle" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["castles-in-surrey", "mole-valley"] topic_path: "general/castles-in-surrey" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abinger_Castle" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Abinger_Motte_-geograph.org.uk-_817469.jpg" caption="Abinger motte"] ::

Abinger Castle is an earthwork motte and bailey that was topped with a small wooden fortress. It is located in Abinger Common, between Guildford and Dorking in Surrey, England.

History

Abinger Castle was founded by William Fitz-Ansculf c. 1100. It was initially composed of wood and was rebuilt in 1140. It had a longer life than most castles of its type, surviving until 1153.

Surrounding Area

Manor

Abinger Manor is a grade II listed manor house located south of the motte. The manor was recorded in the Domesday Book as land belonging to William fitz Ansculf. The house was re-established in 1688 by John Evelyn and was rebuilt in using some old materials following a new design by Alfred Waterhouse.

Church

Main article: St James's Church, Abinger Common

St James' Church was first established in the 12th century and remains due east of the motte. The earliest extant sections of the church are its chancel and north chapel, rebuilt c. 1220. Bombed during World War II, it was restored in 1950 by Frederick Etchells. The church is a grade II* listed building.

Mesolithic site

There are remains of a Mesolithic pit-dwelling near the motte, representing one of the oldest known and best preserved man-made dwelling remains in Britain. The site is also notable for containing many examples of microlith assemblages. The site is a scheduled monument.

Excavation

The castle was excavated by Brian Hope-Taylor between 1947 and 1949. and is a scheduled monument.

Notes

References

  1. Fry, Plantagenet Somerset. (1980). "The David & Charles Book of Castles". David & Charles.
  2. Scheduled Ancient Monument "Motte Castle at Abinger Manor" {{NHLE
  3. Johnson, Paul. (1989). "Castles of England, Scotland and Wales". Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  4. {{NHLE
  5. (2003). "Domesday Book: A Complete Translation". Penguin Books.
  6. {{NHLE
  7. {{NHLE
  8. "Abinger Motte". CastleUK.Net.

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