Launceston Castle

Launceston Castle occupies a ridge that descends from east to west, overlooking the River Kensey to the north. The site includes a roughly rectangular enclosure known as a bailey, measuring about 110 by 120 meters, surrounded by a curtain wall constructed predominantly from local shale stone. Details made from granite quarried from Bodmin Moor and Polyphant stone—a fine ornamental stone from nearby sources—are present in doorways and window frames. Sections of the curtain wall are still visible, including parts of both the north and south gatehouses.

The motte, a raised earth mound positioned at the northeast corner of the bailey, supports a circular stone shell keep dating from the 12th century. This keep is roughly 26 meters across and was later enhanced in the 13th century with the addition of a tall tower about 12 meters wide. This upper tower includes a large window and fireplace overlooking what was once a deer park to the south of the castle. It is believed this space served as an elevated viewing area or private chamber designed to demonstrate the lord’s status.

Surrounding the bailey’s perimeter once stood at least three defensive towers embedded within the curtain wall. One such tower, known as the “Watch” or “Witch” Tower located to the southeast, was a D-shaped structure that guarded the causeway leading to the motte; it collapsed in 1830 but its foundation remains documented. The south gatehouse, constructed in the 13th century, faces toward the deer park and incorporates two rounded drum towers flanking a gateway equipped with a portcullis—an iron-grilled gate designed to be lowered to block entry. Although this gatehouse originally had three floors and was linked to a wall walk along the curtain, much of its dressed stone facing has been removed.

Beyond this entrance, a fortified bridge called a barbican was built in the 14th century to strengthen access defenses. Only one set of its arched stone structures featuring narrow arrow loops remains standing. The north gatehouse, erected in the late 13th century and partially dismantled in 1764, provided the main entry from the town and later became part prison and the home of the castle’s constable.

Within the bailey, the remains of several 13th-century stone buildings can be found. Foundations outline a great hall measuring approximately 22 by 7 meters, a slender hall that likely served as a courtroom, and a large kitchen area. Near the south gatehouse, a Victorian-era cottage occupies the site believed to have hosted the earl’s hall and private chambers. The motte itself was heightened over the centuries and strengthened with clay in 1700, then terraced in the 19th century to stabilize its slopes.

Materials used throughout the castle include local shale for the main walls, granite blocks for structural elements, and finely carved Polyphant stone for ornamental features such as arches and window dressings. Roofs were historically covered with wooden shingles, clay ridge tiles, and lead sheeting. The layout and imposing high tower were carefully designed to be visible from approaching routes, underlining the castle’s role as a seat of Norman and later medieval authority in Cornwall.