Betchworth Castle

Heritage Site in Surrey

England

Betchworth Castle

Footpath next to River Mole The path is leading to Leslie Road with the River Mole mill stream heading to Castle Mill.
Footpath next to River Mole Credit: James Emmans

Betchworth Castle, located in Surrey, England, is a historic heritage site that boasts a rich history dating back to the 11th century. The castle, situated on a sandstone spur overlooking the River Mole, is now in ruins but still holds a significant place in the local history and architecture.

Originally constructed as a fortified manor house by the de Warenne family in the 11th century, Betchworth Castle later underwent several renovations and expansions over the centuries. It was eventually converted into a picturesque country house in the 18th century. However, during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century, the castle fell into disrepair and was partially demolished.

Today, the ruins of Betchworth Castle consist of the remains of its fortified walls, gatehouses, and a striking circular tower. The castle's distinctive architecture, characterized by its flint and sandstone construction, offers visitors a glimpse into the medieval past of Surrey.

Surrounded by picturesque parkland, the castle ruins provide a serene setting for exploration and contemplation. Visitors can wander through the grounds, taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the River Mole. The site also offers opportunities for leisurely picnics and photography.

Betchworth Castle is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public, free of charge. It serves as a popular destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and nature seekers alike, offering a unique glimpse into the region's rich heritage.

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Betchworth Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.24/-0.288 or Grid Reference TQ1950. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footpath next to River Mole The path is leading to Leslie Road with the River Mole mill stream heading to Castle Mill.
Footpath next to River Mole
The path is leading to Leslie Road with the River Mole mill stream heading to Castle Mill.
Reigate Road A24 Main road towards Reigate.

Info - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A24_road_(England)" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A24_road_(England)">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Reigate Road A24
Main road towards Reigate. Info - LinkExternal link
A25 main road towards Dorking Autumnal trees with Ivy growth.
A25 main road towards Dorking
Autumnal trees with Ivy growth.
Large field next to a steep Bridleway Pylons leading to Chalkpit Lane.
Large field next to a steep Bridleway
Pylons leading to Chalkpit Lane.
Woodland path on the Brockham Hills National Trust maintenance crew working hard.
Woodland path on the Brockham Hills
National Trust maintenance crew working hard.
South easterly view from Box Hill On the southerly escarpment near Oak Wood.
South easterly view from Box Hill
On the southerly escarpment near Oak Wood.
Dorking Sign Entering the Surrey market town, close to The Watermill public house.
Dorking Sign
Entering the Surrey market town, close to The Watermill public house.
Pylons close to the Pilgrim's Way
Pylons close to the Pilgrim's Way
Leslie Road Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Pixham Lane.
Leslie Road
Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Pixham Lane.
Leslie Road Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Pixham Lane.
Leslie Road
Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Pixham Lane.
Riverside Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Leslie Road.
Riverside
Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Leslie Road.
Riverside Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Leslie Road, originally named Moleside.
Riverside
Late 19th Century cottages in a cul-de-sac off Leslie Road, originally named Moleside.
Riverside Cul-de-sac off Leslie Road.  The original houses in the road are two terraces of late 19th Century cottages (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7050056">TQ1750 : Riverside</a>), part of one of which is visible in the background.  Riverside Court (on the left) and the flats in nos 19 - 36 (on the right) are much more recent, both dating from the c.1970s the former replacing a block of 3 terraced cottages in Leslie Road and the latter a late 19th Century house named Kenclare.
Riverside
Cul-de-sac off Leslie Road. The original houses in the road are two terraces of late 19th Century cottages (see TQ1750 : Riverside), part of one of which is visible in the background. Riverside Court (on the left) and the flats in nos 19 - 36 (on the right) are much more recent, both dating from the c.1970s the former replacing a block of 3 terraced cottages in Leslie Road and the latter a late 19th Century house named Kenclare.
Surrey public footpath 38, Box Hill Along the top of the downs, parallel with Zig Zag Road.
Surrey public footpath 38, Box Hill
Along the top of the downs, parallel with Zig Zag Road.
Carriage Drive to Oakwood House This track is the former carriage drive to Oakwood House at the top of the hill. The drive begins at the public road at Boxhurst, about 1km to the west, and ascends at a very gentle average gradient of about 1:15, before arriving at a now disused gate into Oakwood House. This section here is the best preserved, now briefly forming part of the North Downs Way as footpath Brockham 583. It is still noticeably metalled (i.e. having a stone surface).
Carriage Drive to Oakwood House
This track is the former carriage drive to Oakwood House at the top of the hill. The drive begins at the public road at Boxhurst, about 1km to the west, and ascends at a very gentle average gradient of about 1:15, before arriving at a now disused gate into Oakwood House. This section here is the best preserved, now briefly forming part of the North Downs Way as footpath Brockham 583. It is still noticeably metalled (i.e. having a stone surface).
Broome Park Dating originally from the early 19th Century and once home to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Broome Park is now a nursing home.  Grade II listed - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1293763" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1293763">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Broome Park
Dating originally from the early 19th Century and once home to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Broome Park is now a nursing home. Grade II listed - see LinkExternal link.
Entrance, Broome Park Entrance to Broome Park.  The house dates originally from the early 19th Century and was once home to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (a blue plaque referring to this can be seen towards the left of the photo - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7013127">TQ2150 : Blue plaque, Broome Park</a> for a close up).  It is now a nursing home.  See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7013052">TQ2150 : Broome Park</a> for a photo of the whole house.
Entrance, Broome Park
Entrance to Broome Park. The house dates originally from the early 19th Century and was once home to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (a blue plaque referring to this can be seen towards the left of the photo - see TQ2150 : Blue plaque, Broome Park for a close up). It is now a nursing home. See TQ2150 : Broome Park for a photo of the whole house.
Blue plaque, Broome Park Blue plaque near the entrance to Broome Park, commemorating the house having been hone to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie.  The other plaque  is in recognition of the grade II listing of the house.  See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7013126">TQ2150 : Entrance, Broome Park</a> for a wider view and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7013052">TQ2150 : Broome Park</a> for a photo of the whole house.
Blue plaque, Broome Park
Blue plaque near the entrance to Broome Park, commemorating the house having been hone to Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie. The other plaque is in recognition of the grade II listing of the house. See TQ2150 : Entrance, Broome Park for a wider view and TQ2150 : Broome Park for a photo of the whole house.
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Betchworth Castle is located at Grid Ref: TQ1950 (Lat: 51.24, Lng: -0.288)

What 3 Words

///tops.wounds.front. Near Dorking, Surrey

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.24,-0.288
Brockham Lane
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2415046/-0.2921473
Pub
The Arkle Manor
Addr City: Betchworth
Addr Postcode: RH3 7HB
Addr Street: Reigate Road
Building: yes
Opening Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Phone: +44 1737 842110
Toilets Wheelchair: yes
Website: https://www.thearklemanor.co.uk/
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 51.2400532/-0.2836248
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Lat/Long: 51.2406134/-0.2826181
Dorking Rugby Club
Sport: rugby
Lat/Long: 51.2368911/-0.2841559
Power: pole
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 51.243886/-0.2871247
Power: pole
Source: gps;Bing
Lat/Long: 51.2439183/-0.2896395
Power: pole
Source: gps;Bing
Lat/Long: 51.2439236/-0.291193
Railway: level_crossing
Lat/Long: 51.2420266/-0.2852009
Bus Stop
Arkle Manor
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408046A
Naptan Bearing: E
Naptan CommonName: Arkle Manor
Naptan Indicator: Just after
Naptan Landmark: Arkle Manor
Naptan NaptanCode: surawptd
Naptan Street: Reigate Road
Naptan Verified: no
Physically Present: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import;survey
Wheelchair: yes
Wheelchair Description: Tactile, step-free island crossing to opposite stop just to east
Lat/Long: 51.2406916/-0.282535
Bus Stop
Arkle Manor
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408046B
Naptan Bearing: SW
Naptan CommonName: Arkle Manor
Naptan Indicator: Just Before
Naptan Landmark: Arkle Manor
Naptan NaptanCode: surawptg
Naptan Street: Reigate Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import;survey
Wheelchair: yes
Wheelchair Description: Tactile, step-free island crossing to opposite stop just to east
Lat/Long: 51.2405089/-0.2827749
Bus Stop
The Avenue
Bench: no
Bin: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408049A
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: The Avenue
Naptan Indicator: Just after
Naptan Landmark: The Avenue
Naptan NaptanCode: surawptw
Naptan Street: Brockham Lane
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.2391674/-0.2897226
Bus Stop
The Avenue
Bench: yes
Bin: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408049B
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: The Avenue
Naptan Indicator: Just Before
Naptan Landmark: The Avenue
Naptan NaptanCode: surawpwa
Naptan Street: Brockham Lane
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.2388371/-0.2897273
Bus Stop
Brockham Lane
Bench: unknown
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408050A
Naptan Bearing: E
Naptan CommonName: Brockham Lane
Naptan Indicator: Opp
Naptan Landmark: Reigate Road / Brockham Lane
Naptan NaptanCode: surawpwd
Naptan Street: Reigate Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import
Wheelchair: no
Lat/Long: 51.2413585/-0.2902077
Bus Stop
Brockham Lane
Bench: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408050B
Naptan Bearing: W
Naptan CommonName: Brockham Lane
Naptan Indicator: Just after
Naptan Landmark: Reigate Road / Brockham Lane
Naptan NaptanCode: surawpwg
Naptan Street: Reigate Road
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Source: naptan_import
Wheelchair: limited
Lat/Long: 51.2414313/-0.2921646
Bus Stop
Brockham Lane
Bench: no
Local Ref: ON
Naptan AtcoCode: 40004408050C
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan CommonName: Brockham Lane
Naptan Indicator: on
Naptan Landmark: Reigate Road
Naptan NaptanCode: surawpwp
Naptan Street: Brockham Lane
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import
Wheelchair: limited
Lat/Long: 51.2408941/-0.2907867
Fire Hydrant
Emergency: fire_hydrant
Fire Hydrant Type: underground
Lat/Long: 51.2415395/-0.2914884
Fire Hydrant
Emergency: fire_hydrant
Fire Hydrant Type: underground
Lat/Long: 51.2410362/-0.2880755
Post Box
Ref: RH3 264
Source: Photo P142-0254
Lat/Long: 51.2380542/-0.2891835
Brockham Computers
Shop: computer
Lat/Long: 51.2415952/-0.2929984
Fire Hydrant
Emergency: fire_hydrant
Fire Hydrant Diameter: 100
Fire Hydrant Position: lane
Fire Hydrant Type: underground
Source: P142-0260
Lat/Long: 51.2414844/-0.2924496
Post Box
Post Box Mounting: brick_pillar
Post Box Type: wall
Ref: RH3 18
Source: Photo P142-0259
Lat/Long: 51.2414565/-0.2923645
Fire Hydrant
Emergency: fire_hydrant
Fire Hydrant Type: underground
Lat/Long: 51.2401805/-0.2849598
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Sloped Curb: both
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 51.2416773/-0.2924529
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 51.2407168/-0.282669
Railway: level_crossing
Lat/Long: 51.2420646/-0.2851466
Stoney Croft Farm
Place: farm
Lat/Long: 51.2413196/-0.2868483
The Avenue
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2388506/-0.2896065
The Avenue
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2391561/-0.2897801
Arkle Manor
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2405588/-0.282807
Brockham Lane
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2413254/-0.2902129
Brockham Lane
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2408683/-0.2908618
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Crossing Island: yes
Tactile Paving: yes
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 51.240814/-0.2818522
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Crossing Island: no
Tactile Paving: yes
Lat/Long: 51.240684/-0.2821013
Arkle Manor
Bus: yes
Public Transport: stop_position
Lat/Long: 51.2406477/-0.2824897
Crossing
Crossing: unmarked
Crossing Island: yes
Lat/Long: 51.2412464/-0.2910199
Crossing
Lat/Long: 51.240184/-0.2849503
Dorking Tool Hire
Shop: tool_hire
Lat/Long: 51.2404891/-0.2819268
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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