Location: SX800605/TQ9 5NU – Totnes Town Centre – no parking, park in many of the centre car parks. Totnes Castle was built by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet. Earliest surviving parts of the castle date from the 11th century, in the form of the earthworks made of layers of earth, rock and clay packed down onto a natural rock mound and was probably built about 1100. The later motte and bailey castle being constructed on the built-up earthworks. During the 13th century the large, circular shell keep was built on top of the motte, but was reconstructed at the beginning of the 14th century when other renovation work was carried out. There was originally a ditch and a curtain wall and domestic buildings.
The very first castle on this site is believed to have been built by the Breton Juhel of Totnes, one of William the Conqueror's lieutenants. He was granted the manor in 1068, and to determine his control he constructed a fortification and founded a priory in the town. However, this construction probably was a wooden palisade and tower.
When William I died, Juhel unfortunately lost his lands, possibly as he supported the Rebellion of 1088. The manor of Totnes was then granted to Roger de Nonant, who held the manor for the next three generations. It then came into the possession of William de Braose, who built the first stone fortifications on the site. By 1326 the castle had fallen into ruin and in the control the de la Zouch family. A royal order was made for the repair of the castle; it was refortified and a constable appointed. After the Wars of the Roses it fell again into disrepair. The castle was again occupied during the English Civil War but saw no action. Since 1984 the castle has been under the stewardship of English Heritage.
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