Cardinham Castle
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte Ringwork)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Cardinham Castle |
| Alternative Names | Cadenham; Cardinan; White Hill |
| Historic Country | Cornwall |
| Modern Authority | Cornwall |
| 1974 Authority | Cornwall |
| Civil Parish | Cardinham |
The remains of a motte and bailey castle built soon after the conquest, probably by Richard Fitz Turold, steward of the Count of Mortain. The descendants of Richard lived for two centuries in the castle, taking the name "Cardinan" after their place of residence. There are two enclosures, the higher almost circular, 35 yards diameter. It appears to have been a quarry for centuries from the uneven state of the mound. The ditch encircling the base of the mound at the NW may be seen. The bailey or lower enclosure is approx 89 yards x 83 yards - it is fairly level and enclosed by traces of a mound, especially at the S side. The motte which is approximately 4.0 metres high has been extensively mutilated on its top and east side by surface stone digging. The erroneously described "ditch" on the north-west side is the result of modern stone quarrying. The bailey is generally well preserved on the west and south sides but the east side has apparently been cut away. There is no trace of the entrance. The north-south double bank and ditch to the east of the bailey is probably a flanking work as the slope is too steep for a hollow way. There are no obvious traces of a contemporary settlement within the earthwork. (PastScape)
Even before their extinction the Cardinhams had begun to build Restormel Castle near their borough of Lostwithel. Cardinham Castle, a ringwork on the margin of Bodmin Morr, was abandoned (Pound)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SX126680 |
| Latitude | 50.4818382263184 |
| Longitude | -4.64260005950928 |
| Eastings | 212600 |
| Northings | 68000 |
