Trematon Castle
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are major building remains
| Name | Trematon Castle |
| Alternative Names | Tremetone; Tremetune |
| Historic Country | Cornwall |
| Modern Authority | Cornwall |
| 1974 Authority | Cornwall |
| Civil Parish | Saltash |
Castle mentioned in Domesday and passed to the Duchy of Cornwall in 1337. It became neglected in the mid C14 and was in ruins by C16. There are the remains of C12 shell keep and the gatehouse, rebuilt in C13, is substantially intact. A deer park is named in 1282 but had lost the deer by 1500. Higher Lodge, a two storey crenellated house (2-star listed), was built within the castle bailey in 1807-8 and part of the curtain wall was demolished to provide views of the estuary. (PastScape)
Trematon Castle, mentioned in Domesday, passed to the Duchy of Cornwall in 1337. It became neglected in the mid C14 and was in ruins in C16. The C12 shell keep stands on a natural hillock having traces of buildings round its internal face. A large portion of the curtain wall, including parapet, still stands but a length to the south east was destroyed to provide a view of the estuary when the house was built within the bailey in 1807. No trace exists of the hall and chapel which originally stood in the bailey. The gatehouse, rebuilt in C13, is substantially complete although the windows have been enlarged. The deer park adjoining Trematon Castle was named in 1282 but had lost its deer by 1500 (Henderson). Bought by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, in 1270 from the Vautort family, it was bestowed on the Black Prince in 1337. At the time it was described as being well-walled, containing a kitchen, hall and two-storied chamber, the buildings being constructed on wood and plaster. There was also a chapel and gateway. Granted out between 1392-1443, it was again in royal hands from 1443, and was in ruins by Leland's time. In the early C19 a surveyor-general of Cornwall bought the property and built a house for himself in the bailey. He pulled down a section of the wall in order to improve the view. The keep, C13 gateway and the greater part of the bailey wall still remain largely intact. (PastScape–Ref. HKW)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SX410580 |
| Latitude | 50.4004096984863 |
| Longitude | -4.23769998550415 |
| Eastings | 241060 |
| Northings | 58010 |
