Ellingham Castle, Much Marcle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Quarry Wood; Hellens

In the civil parish of Much Marcle. In the historic county of Herefordshire (Modern Authority of Herefordshire, 1974 county of Hereford and Worcester).

Vanished. In parish of Much Marcle. Could either be at site of manor of Hellens at map ref given or at a site 'not far from the town, named Quarry Wood in C17 by Blount, this suggests the castle was being robbed of it stone. Salter suggests both site are the same. PastScape records Grade 2* listed Hellens, no mention poss medieval occupation. In my opinion Ellingham castle was probably fortified manor built to replace Mortimer's castle in C13 or C14 which was derelict by early C17 and Hellens mansion was then built on site incorporating and reusing some of earlier matterial. It is doubtful that the fortifications of Ellingham would have amounted to that required of a castle.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SO66143324

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 480 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/db.php?smr_no=480
• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2000, Castles of Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Malvern) p28
    Shoesmith, Ron, 1996, Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press)
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p213 [possible]
    Malcolm Munthe, 1957, Hellens. The Story of a Herefordshire Manor
    Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (Methuen and Co)
    Mackenzie, J.D., 1897, Castles of England (Heinemann) Vol2 p102
    Robinson, Rev C.J., 1872, A History of the Mansions and Manors of Herefordshire (Logaston Press, 2001 reprint)
    Robinson, Rev C.J., 1867, The Castles of Herefordshire and Their Lords (Logaston Press, 2002 reprint) p54-7