Thunderfield Castle, Horley

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Horne; Thunderford; Herewoldeslea; Haroldslea

In the civil parish of Horley. In the historic county of Surrey (Modern Authority of Surrey, 1974 county of Surrey).

Thunderfield Castle, a Ring and Bailey castle generally well preserved, though the entire site is over grown with trees and undergrowth. Thunderfield Castle is thought to be an early C12 foundation and was of timber construction there being no traces of masonry. It was a ring type castle abandoned early probably due to flooding of the ditches by the River Mole. The barbican, of later date than the castle, is of a higher level and can be mistaken for a motte. The ditches were originally dry, an outer ditch, dug early in C13 formed a small outer bailey beyond the barbican. Excavations in the centre area by Hart and Winbolt in 1936, uncovered the hearth of a bloomery, and C13, C14 and C15 pottery was found nearby. No trace of buildings was found. The castle may have been erected by Gilbert de Clare (died 1132). (SHHER)
May have been the site of a manor court recorded in the early C13 as 'Herewoldeslea' [Haroldslea] (Information from Peter Cox who references documents in the British Library (ADD Charters 5932 & 7599))

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TQ30004257

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 English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 399980
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 873 '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.castleuk.net/castle_lists_south/187/thunderfieldcastle.htm
    http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHHER_873
• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Surrey (Malvern) p22
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p466
    Malden, H.E. (ed), 1912, VCH Surrey Vol4 p396
    Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (Methuen and Co)
• Journal Articles
  • Braun, H., 1937, Surrey Archaeological Collections Vol45 p146-50
    Malden, H.E., 1903, Surrey Archaeological Collections Vol18 p1-8