Restormel Castle

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View from the west

Restormel Castle is a ruined castle in the county of Cornwall in the UK. It lies on a hill above the valley of the River Fowey. It is among the oldest and best preserved Norman castles of the county.

History

Restormel Castle was originally built in 1100 from wood. In the late 13th century, the castle of Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, was re- built as a separate residence in stone. Twice Edward, the Black Prince held court here. Militarily, the castle played no significant role. The only surviving combat action took place only during the English Civil War. The castle was occupied by a parliamentary garrison, which was sold in 1644 by the royalist troops. After that, the castle fell into ruin.

Plant

The castle was designed as a moth, and consisted of a round top castle and a lower castle. The lower castle, which once contained the farm buildings, has largely disappeared. The upper castle, however, is preserved in ruins. Behind a 17-meter- wide moat project beyond the walls of the circular Keeps about 7 feet up. From the wall round the gatehouse and the chapel stand out. On the outer walls the private rooms as well as the kitchens were from inside the Great Hall, terraced. Despite their well-fortified exterior, the castle served as a magnificent residence rather than as a fortress. Of these, already evidenced by the large windows of the Great Hall in the outer wall.

The castle is now managed by English Heritage and can be visited.