Betchworth Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Betchworth Castle |
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Ruins of Betchworth Castle
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| Type | Castle |
| Location | Betchworth |
| OS grid reference | TQ 19029 50065 |
| Area | Surrey |
| Built | 1449 |
| Demolished | 1819 |
| Rebuilt |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Ruins of Betchworth Castle | |
| Designated | 28 November 1951 |
| Reference no. | 1378073 |
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Betchworth Castle is an old, ruined stone house in Surrey, England. It was once a strong, fortified medieval home. Today, only some tall, two-storey corners remain. These parts were made stronger in the 1700s.
The castle ruins sit on a sandstone hill. It looks over the western side of the River Mole. This area is near the village of Brockham.
Betchworth Castle is considered a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's an important historical site. It is also a Grade II listed building. This is the lowest category for protected buildings. The ruins are about 1.2 miles east of Dorking and 4 miles west of Reigate. Even though it's near the river, it's surrounded by the Betchworth Park Golf Course.
In 1798, a man named Henry Peters bought the castle. He spent a lot of money to make it a comfortable family home. Henry lived there with his wife and twelve children until he died in 1827. After his death, his children did not inherit the castle. It was then bought by David Barclay, and later by Henry Hope. Henry Hope tore down large parts of the castle. This is why it looks like a ruin today.
Contents
History of Betchworth Castle
Early Beginnings
Betchworth Castle, also known as Beechworth, was once the main house of the West Betchworth area. The Domesday Survey, a famous record from 1086, shows that Richard de Tonbridge owned it. The castle started as an earthwork fortress. This was built by Robert Fitz Gilbert in the 11th century.
In 1373, the castle was given to Richard FitzAlan, 3rd Earl of Arundel. His son, John FitzAlan, 1st Baron Arundel, was a powerful Earl Marshall of England. He changed the earthwork fortress into a stone castle in 1379. Later, in 1448, the castle was rebuilt as a fortified house. This was done by Sir Thomas Browne, Sheriff of Kent, who got the castle through marriage.
The Browne Family Era
Sir Thomas Browne was an important person. He was the Treasurer of the Household for King Henry IV. The Browne family owned Betchworth Castle for many years.
The last male Browne to own the castle was Sir Adam Browne, 2nd Baronet. He passed away in 1690. His daughter, Margaret, was his only heir. She married William Fenwicke in 1691.
In 1725, Mrs. Margaret Fenwicke of Betchworth Castle left money in her will. She wanted £200 to be used to buy land. This money would help pay for children to learn a trade. It would also provide a small dowry for maidservants. These maidservants had to be born in Betchworth. They also had to work in the same job for seven years. Any extra money would go to help the poor.
A famous writer named Abraham Tucker lived at Betchworth Castle. He wrote books like A Picture of Artless Love. He lived there until he died in 1774. There is a plaque for him at St Martin's church in Dorking.
The Castle Becomes a Ruin
By the 1800s, castles were not very useful anymore. Betchworth Castle was overshadowed by a newer, bigger house nearby. So, it was left empty in the 1830s.
In 1834, Henry Thomas Hope bought the castle. He was part of a rich banking family. He wanted to add the castle to his Deepdene estate. Henry Hope tore down parts of the castle. He used the building materials for other projects. Without anyone living there, the rest of the castle slowly fell into ruin. It became more like a decorative ruin, or a "folly."
In 1911, a historian named Malden wrote about the castle. He said it must have been very beautiful. It had battlements, chimneys, and special windows. It stood among lawns and gardens that went down to the River Mole. He also noted that ivy was breaking down the walls. He mentioned a beautiful avenue of lime trees leading to the ruins.
Haunted Tales
People say that Betchworth Castle is haunted. A black dog, sometimes called a "death dog," is said to roam the ruins at night. The grounds of the castle, which are now the Betchworth Park golf course, are also believed to be haunted.
One story tells of a "Lord Hope." He supposedly chased and killed an escaped convict with his sword. But then he found out it was actually his own son he had killed! This "Lord Hope" is said to walk around the ruins. He is filled with regret over what he did.
Visiting Betchworth Castle
You can visit the castle ruins by foot. A public path was made in 2005. It is a signposted track that goes across the golf course.
For safety, the entire ruin is surrounded by strong railings. This is because there are unstable underground cellars. Visitors can get quite close to the ruins. You can see them by looking through the protective railings. You cannot get to the castle through Castle Gardens or by the River Mole.
Future Plans
Mole Valley Council used to own Betchworth Castle. In 2008, they sold it for just £1 to a local man named Martin Higgins. He has promised to take care of the castle structure and its grounds.
He is getting financial help from several groups. These include English Heritage, Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, and Mole Valley District Council. He is also using his own money and other private funds. The goal is to conserve the castle so that the public can visit it safely in the future.
