Castle Hill, Folkestone

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Castle

The summit of Castle Hill is capped by the earthworks of a motte and bailey fort sometimes referred to as Caesar's Camp. However, an excavation of the site by General Augustus Pitt Rivers in 1878 revealed no evidence of a Roman settlement ever existing on the hill but rather that the earthworks were most likely prehistoric in origin and were later considerably strengthened by the Normans in the 1140s. The excavation also found no evidence of stone structures existing on the site and it is likely that the castle was abandoned before it was able to expand. Today the motte and bailey earthworks are a scheduled ancient monument.

Encircling the summit of Castle Hill is a tank trap which was built in 1940 for defence in case of German invasion.

Nature

Castle Hill forms part of the Folkestone to Etchinghill escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and on its slopes can be found a variety of wildflowers and orchids. The hill and surrounding downs also provide a habitat for butterflies.

During the twentieth century much chalk grassland was lost due to scrub encroachment which was caused by lack of grazing, management and the myxamatosis outbreak. This can be clearly seen by comparing photographs of Castle Hill 100 years ago to today. However, the Folkestone Downs are now properly managed and scrubland (and in some cases woodland) is gradually being cleared and grazed to revert back to chalk grassland.

Facts

The excavation of Castle Hill in 1878 by General Pitt Rivers was the first ever scientific excavation of a medieval site.

The summit of Castle Hill provides good views of the Folkestone Channel Tunnel Terminal.

The A20 road skirts round the southern base of the hill before tunneling underneath neighbouring Round Hill.

Beneath the slopes of Castle Hill and Sugarloaf Hill is a natural hollow called Holywell where there is also evidence of prehistoric occupation.