Fenny Castle

Settlement in Somerset Mendip

England

Fenny Castle

Godney Drove Running across the levels between Godney and Bleadney, becoming Yeap&#039;s Drove further north. It&#039;s starting to rain heavily. — Godney Drove Credit: Derek Harper

Fenny Castle is a historic site located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated near the village of South Cadbury, it is believed to have been a motte-and-bailey castle built in the 11th century. The castle is situated on a hilltop, offering commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

The site features a large mound, known as the motte, which was constructed using earthworks. This mound would have supported a wooden keep or tower, providing a strategic vantage point and a defensive position. Surrounding the motte is a bailey, an enclosed courtyard where domestic buildings and other structures would have been located.

The origins of Fenny Castle are unclear, with some theories suggesting it may have been built by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Others believe it might have been constructed by the Saxons before the arrival of the Normans. Regardless of its origins, the castle was likely used as a stronghold and residence for local lords or nobles.

Today, Fenny Castle is a scheduled monument and a popular historical attraction. Visitors can explore the remains of the motte and bailey, walking along the earthworks and imagining the castle's former grandeur. Although the castle itself no longer stands, its historical significance and picturesque location make it a fascinating site to visit.

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Fenny Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.192652/-2.705199 or Grid Reference ST5043. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Godney Drove

Running across the levels between Godney and Bleadney, becoming Yeap's Drove further north. It's starting to rain heavily.

Derek Harper

Hurn Drove

The oak tree to the right of the camera provides welcome shelter while donning a raincoat as the heavens have opened. This is at the junction of Tripps, Yeap's, Godney and Hurn Droves.

Derek Harper

Towards Shott's Farm

A rainswept corner of the levels, seen from Hurn Drove.

Derek Harper

Junction of droves near Hurn Farm

The unusually winding route of the lanes is determined by the circuitous course of the River Sheppey, just to the right. Left here is Leaze Drove; right is Ashmoor Drove. ST4944 : Turning for Bleadney shows the junction from the opposite side. It's raining steadily, which explains the water on the lens in spite of best efforts to keep it dry.

Derek Harper

Ashmoor Drove

A large tree offers a chance to dry the lens (see ST4944 : Junction of droves near Hurn Farm) while the rain continues. Across the levels in Longstring Farm at the foot of Yarley Hill.

Derek Harper

Field near Henton

Looking up the slopes of Yarley Hill from the B3139 east of Henton.

Derek Harper

Ripple Farm

A farmhouse on the B3139 at the east end of Henton.

Derek Harper

View from Godney Drove, looking south east

Rob Purvis

Flow Measuring Station on River Sheppey

The River Sheppey is a significant watercourse on this part of the Somerset Levels, taking water from the foot of the Mendips at Wells, meandering around Godney and into the rhynes that feed the River Brue. The Environment Agency monitor the river flow and can thus predict flooding: data available at Link

Edwin Graham

Pasture on Yeap's Drove

With bent gate. Looking northeast over part of Godney Moor. Google Earth imagery from 2009 shows that these drains had been recently cleared, with bare banks, and an unbent gate.

M J Richardson

Pasture from Yeap's Drove

Looking east across one of the many low-lying fields in the area separated by drains.

M J Richardson

B3139 towards Henton

J.Hannan-Briggs

Cows in Orchard

I'm surprised that in December the cows are not in sheds.

Graham Richards

Derelict House on the Levels

It amazes me that there are houses on the levels. They must flood from time to time and what with global warming!!! The area is marked as Piggery on the 25,000 map but there are no pigs there now.

Graham Richards

River Sheppey flow measuring station

The discharge of the river Sheppey is measured at this point.

Sharon Loxton

Rhine and Hurn Drove

A deeply cut rhine running parallel to Hurn drove as it descends onto Godney Moor.

Sharon Loxton

Sheep Grazing

Sheep grazing on low lying pasture near the village of Upper Godney on the Somerset Levels. The Mendip Hills can be seen in the far distance.

Sharon Loxton

Pill Box in Upper Godney

This Pill Box is just to the south of the river Sheppey and is nowhere near as obvious as the other pill box in this square as it is behind a farm making it somewhat inaccessible. It is a Type 29 Pill Box on 'Stop Line Green'. Stop Line Green was a 100 mile continuous semi-circular defensive line (also known as Bristol Outer Defences). It ran from Highbridge on the Bristol Channel in the south to Upper Framilode on the river Severn in the north. It was a last line of defence against an attack from the east and was built on the assumption that the Germans had already advanced this far west. It was designed to defend Bristol and so keep the port open for evacuation, resupply or reinforcements. There were many other 'stop lines' in Southern Britain, with different colour codes, all designed to be a hindrance to tanks in the event of an invasion. (Taken from 'Warwalks - Stop Line Green' by Major Green - 1999.)

Sharon Loxton

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Fenny Castle is located at Grid Ref: ST5043 (Lat: 51.192652, Lng: -2.705199)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Mendip

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset