Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust

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Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust

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Nearly the great lost castle of the Marches, Snodhill is emerging as one of the most significant early Norman castles in Britain.

Share in the excitement of its discovery and restoration Snodhill Castle Features

� "Snod" hill has been occupied since the Neolithic period and is a possible Iron Age Hillfort site.
� Possible Saxon Fort site.
� The Castle you can see today was built between 1067 and 1071 by William Fitz Osbern.
� Held by Hugh L'Asne from 1071 until 1101 when it passed (by marrage) to Roger De Chandos.
�13 sided residential tower keep with twin turreted entrance and "Barbican Tower" in Bailey.
� Multiple masonry build periods from 11th to 17th Century.
� Unusually sophisticated Bailey defences.
� Extensive buried high status residential buildings.
� Occupied until 1645, demolished in 1650 and undisturbed since then.
� Many intriguing questions (where was the Castles main entrance? How was the keep accessed?)
� Center of an early Norman Lordship with many features clearly to be seen in the landscape (possibly the parish boundaries of Peterchurch follow the original Domesday holdings of Hugh L’Asne).
� Very rare "Pleasaunce" (fortified banquetting hall / gardens) below Castle in Dore Valley.
� North Tower is effectively a second Keep.

15/10/2026

Wrangle the brambles! Flatten the bracken! Let the slow worms grow and the glow worms glow! Snodhill Castle needs hale, hearty and heft-happy volunteers for our BRASH BASH on Saturday 31 October. Help us tackle the tangle, scupper the scrub and give our ancient trees and precious wildlife a little more space to thrive. We’ve two sessions: 10am–1pm and 2.30–4pm. Come for one or both. No experience needed. Just bring gloves, sturdy footwear, hand tools (no power tools) and a willingness to get stuck in. We’ll provide the weather, fresh air, good company and a chance to learn a thing or two about local ecology. Age 18+. Register using the QR code on the poster or email [email protected].
And please share this with anyone who might enjoy a bit of outdoor volunteering.

28/07/2026

Jenny Addis, shortlisted for the Community Archaeologist of the Year award 2026, helps drum up diggers for the second grand Snodhill Community Dig, August 24-31. To book your barrow and trowel email [email protected]

16/07/2026

The weather is forecast to cool down to a pleasant 24 degrees on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th but remain dry, so why not visit Snodhill Castle for a guided tour of the castle and see the latest excavations that are revealing more about this extraordinary castle set on its unique hill overlooking beautiful landscape.

Tours are at at 11am and 2.30pm on both days, we invite donations of £10 for adults, children and well-behaved dogs are also welcome.
Book now using the contact form on our website:-
https://www.snodhillcastle.org/visit/
or email:-
[email protected]

Sign up for our Community Dig, 24 - 31 August.
Places are limited so find out more now!
email: [email protected]

And talk to us about volunteering: it's great for the health of the castle - and not bad for the rest of us too.

12/07/2026

The weather is forecast to cool down on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th but remain dry, so why not visit Snodhill Castle for a guided tour of the castle and see the latest excavations that are as usual revealing more puzzles about this extraordinary castle.

Tours are at at 11am and 2.30pm on both days, we invite donations of £10 for adults, children and well-behaved dogs are also welcome.
Book now using the contact form on our website:-
https://www.snodhillcastle.org/visit/
or email:-
[email protected]

Sign up for our Community Dig, 24 - 31 August.
Places are limited so find out more now!
email: [email protected]

And talk to us about volunteering: it's great for the health of the castle - and not bad for the rest of us too.

02/07/2026

Come along to Snodhill Castle's open days, Sat 18 & 19 July.

Book a guided tour of the Castle and the new excavations with Garry Crook, leading light behind the castle’s rescue.

Tours are at at 11am and 2.30pm on both days, we invite donations of £10 for adults, children and well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Book now using the contact form on our website:-
https://www.snodhillcastle.org/visit/
or email:-
[email protected]

Sign up for our Community Dig, 24 - 31 August.
Places are limited so find out more now!
email: [email protected]

And talk to us about volunteering: it's great for the health of the castle - and not bad for the rest of us too.

26/06/2026

Folk have been coming here for 7000 years. Isn’t it time you dropped by? The student digs start this Sunday, with Open Days and tours Sat & Sun 18-19 July. Book via link in bio

25/06/2026

Our nocturnal visitor is a female Lampyris Noctiluca (glow worm) attracting a mate. Flightless, she’s smart enough to glow in the open and when the moon’s not full. When a (flying) male finds her, they turn off the light. Quite right.

NaturalHistory CastleWildlife LivingHeritage HistoricLandscape AncientPlaces HerefordshireWildlife GoldenValley SnodhillCastle

14/06/2026

We’ve two great community digs for you this August: ‘A Medieval Mystery’ (August 1-9) aims to unearth the secrets of Dorstone village, and ‘Snodhill Secrets’ (August 24-31) explores the fascinating surrounds of Snodhill Castle. Both are open to all over 12 and free to join - but you need to register now. Swipe for more or mail [email protected], or [email protected]

14/06/2026

We’ve two great community digs for you this Summer hols:

‘A Medieval Mystery’ (August 1st - 9th) aims to unearth the secrets of Dorstone village.

‘Snodhill Secrets’ (August 24th - 31st) will be exploring the fascinating early medieval landscape of Snodhill Castle.

Both are open to all over 12 and are free to join - but you need to register now.

Swipe up for more details or mail:-

[email protected] (for the August 1st - 9th dig)

or for the Snodhill Castle dig:-

[email protected]
(for the August 24th - 31st dig).

22/05/2026

A smashed cupboard. A twisted relic. A medieval crime scene.
This Limoges champlevé enamel figure was found in 2023 beneath the chapel treasure cupboard. Bent at the base where its rivets were forced from a chest, cross or reliquary, and found below a cupboard smashed from its hinges, it raises one obvious question: Who broke in? When? And why?
Join our expert guided tour this Saturday and help piece together this and other pixellated mysteries still surfacing every year at Snodhill Castle - the hidden gem of the Golden Valley. To book: email [email protected]
SnodhillCastle CastleTour MedievalHistory ThingsToDoInHay HiddenHerefordshire

Address

Snodhill Castle
Snodhill
HR36BQ

Website

https://www.snodhillcastle.org/

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