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

The Gatehouse

Tonbridge Castle

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 28, 2025

1. The Gatehouse Marker

Inscription. From this point you can see both the motte and the back of the Gatehouse. On the side of the mote there is a blocked doorway. This used to lead into a short passage but its purpose remains, as yet, a mystery. You can also see the remnants of the protective curtain wall.

The Gatehouse was a four-storey building with timber roofs covered in lead. There were storerooms in the basement. These were only accessible through trap doors from the rooms above. The ground floor contained guardrooms.

The first floor straddles the archway. There were three rooms, or chambers, here. The middle chamber was the portcullis winding room. The outer chambers each had a fireplace and were lit by narrow windows. The second floor was undivided and created a grand chamber - probably the council chamber where Edward I handed over the Great Seal of England in 1297, before journeying abroad.

Erected by Tonbridge and Mailing Borough Council. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1297.

Location. 51° 11.75′ N, 0° 16.386′ E. Marker is in Tonbridge, England, in Kent. It is on New Wharf Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 New Wharf Road, Tonbridge, England TN9 1DT, 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: The Curtain Wall (here, next to this marker); Boer War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Castle Courtyard (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Tonbridge Castle (about 120 meters away); The Water Tower (about 150 meters away); Eliza Acton (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Colin Cowdry, John George Children, Anna Atkins (approx. half a kilometer away); a different marker also named Tonbridge Castle (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonbridge.

Tonbridge Castle courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 28, 2025

2. Tonbridge Castle courtyard

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.