Penstowe Castle, Kilkhampton

In the civil parish of Kilkhampton.
In the historic county of Cornwall (Modern Authority of Cornwall, 1974 county of Cornwall).

Earthworks of a motte and bailey, possibly an adulterine castle which was destroyed during the reign of Henry II (1154-89). Excavations on the motte, in 1950, located buildings and C12 pottery. Motte measured 18m east-west by 8m north-south and had an approximate height of 9.3m. It was separated from the inner bailey by a ditch 8m wide and 3.6m deep. Inner bailey was rectangular in plan, it measured 32m east-west by 26m north-south and was surrounded by a rampart 9m wide and 2.4m high on the east side. The north and south sides were defined by a bank 2m wide and 0.5m high. The outer bailey was separated from the inner bailey by a V-shaped ditch 7m wide and 1.5m deep. It measured 26m east-west by 17m north-south. Traces of a rampart, 3m wide and 1.2m high, were identified on the east side. No traces of buildings were identified in either of the baileys.

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Earthworks remains.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SS24311158

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 32229