Tonbridge in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Castle Courtyard

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 28, 2025

1. The Castle Courtyard Marker

Inscription. Tonbridge Castle was designed as a 'motte and bailey' castle. The motte is the large man-made hill to the side of the Gatehouse. The bailey was a large yard, enclosed by the great stone curtain walls. The lawn is laid out in the original bailey area.

The Castle was home to a large number people. In addition to the de Clare family, there were soldiers and servants. Craftsmen lived here to support the thriving community.

The building within the bailey would have included barracks for the soldiers, as well as workshops, stables and storerooms. There would have been a brewery, a bakeshop, a kitchen, and a forge for making weapons and horseshoes. There was also a chapel near the main entrance. The Castle was almost self-sufficient. This was the key to the community's survival during times of siege.

Erected by Tonbridge and Mailing Borough Council. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 51° 11.787′ N, 0° 16.443′ E. Marker is in Tonbridge, England, in Kent. It can be reached from Castle Street west of High Street (Local Route B2260), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126a Castle St, Tonbridge, England TN9 1BG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tonbridge Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Boer War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gatehouse (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Curtain Wall (about 90 meters away); Eliza Acton (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Colin Cowdry, John George Children, Anna Atkins (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); George Austen 1731-1805 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonbridge.

The Castle Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 28, 2025

2. The Castle Courtyard

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 6, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.