Thurnham Castle

Stunning views of surrounding countryside but the castle itself is just a few crumbling walls.

Tucked away in woodland on top of the North Kentish Downs, this 11th Century ruin once commanded the area and is close to Pilgrims way.

The views across the Kentish Weald are spectacular.
Bring wellies of its winter, it was very muddy!

I thoroughly recommend a walk down the hill for a decent pint at the ‘Black Horse’ Thurnham village.

Located on the edge of the White Horse Country Park is the scant remains of what was Thurnham Castle, overlooking the valley which the M20 and HS1 rail link run. Little remains of the castle itself, except for part of the curtain wall and the motte upon which the castle stood. The motte itself can be slippery when it has been raining so care must be taken when climbing it. Trees obscure part of the view from the motte. making it hard to pick out the landmarks indicated on the plaque upon the top of the motte. Would be better visited as part of a trip to the White Horse Country Park as there is not much to see just visiting the castle, although on quite times there are some pull ins on the lane that runs by the castle rather than pay the car parking fee at the White Horse Country Park.

This is a ruin and currently very overgrown. A nice place for a walk with good views. Limited free parking nearby.

There isn't much left in the way of ruins , but if you enjoy a nice walk and lovely views then it's worth a visit. The walk around White Horse Country Park where the ruins are situated is lovely for humans and dogs

This medieval castle located in White Horse Wood country park.

No much of the ruins left, but very beautiful view of the valley from the hill.

FIrst owner is believed to be Ralph de Courbépine, a tenant of Bishop Odo of Bayeux (brother of William the Conqueror).

Stephen de Thurnham, great grandson of
Ralph de Courbépine, held the manor in the
12th Century.

By the 14th Century the manor had passed to the Northwood family and then to Robert Corbie.

The castle was abandoned by the 15th Century for Corbier Hall, south-west of Thurnham village.

Chalk quarrying damaged the site in later centuries.

In 1999 Kent County Council, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, RLCI, Maidstone Borough Council and Thurnham Parish Council, acquired
the castle in order to conserve it and make it accessible.

On our visit there, we have parked on the road not far from the entrance.

Although, if you intend to go for a long stretch, after visiting castle, you better park in the car park, which located near by, across the road from castle and 10 min walk afterwards through the field.

Nice place for walk with amazing views.
Don't expect a fully standing castle as it is just the site of where the castle use to be with some remains of some of the old castle entrance

Nice location. History of the castle is interesting but not a lot left unfortunately. Just bits of wall. We ran a paranormal investigation here and it came up with some great results. See our ghosthuntertours YouTube page for full recording. Lovely surroundings country side.