Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright 3 grants to research Laughton castle which developed the proof of concept for an AHRC grant. Now it's up for a Current Archaeology awards under From Bayeux to Bosham. The winner is decided by public vote so vote for this great project: archaeology.co.uk/vote

In a nice end to the year, I can draw your attention to this short (ish) report on the earthwork survey of Cockroad Wood Castle in Somerset which I led this year. A fascinating, if slightly enigmatic site. historicengland.org.uk/research/res... . One for @castlestudies.bsky.social

Following the Trust receiving 21 applications asking for £170,000, will you help us fund major new castle research projects in 2026? Since 2013, we have made a major contribution to boosting the understanding & preservation of castles. To help please donate here: donate.kindlink.com/castle-studi...

Originally it was thought that there was not much information on Dover in the folios. This has proved to be false and has given a lot of very useful information on the castle in what when we had previously known little. To find out see: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...

The remains of Gresham castle photographed with a regular camera and how it looks with a LiDar drone camera.

With the transcribing and translating of the survey of southern England fortifications finished Drs Paul Pattison and Esther van Raamsdonk are interpreting the text. They reveal that there's far more there than thought, especially on Dover. To learn more: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...

Of the 21 applications we have received, we had 13 from England, 4 from Scotland and two each from Wales and Ireland. They are for a wide range of sites and are wanting to do a variety of things including excavations and our first ever under water geophys one. Read more on the link below.

On Monday, the deadline for applications passed for our 13th round of grants. We received 21 applications (most since our first year) asking for a record amount of over £170,000. To find out what applications we received you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...

The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.

Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...

Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...

Closing date for applications to the CST, is now exactly 4 weeks away on Monday 1 December

@katiemcgown.bsky.social gives an update on how Visualisation of Canterbury Castle project we funded has progressed and looking at how visiting other similar sites can help with the visualisation of a very ruined structure: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...

David's experience at Finlaggan shows the importance of the multi-disciplinary research on castles especially when written sources are so sparse. Find out how the excavation of Finlaggan transformed our understanding of it and history of the area.

"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...

Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.

Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.

This CfP is 🔥 callsforpapers.ihbc.org.uk?p=1147

One of the most interesting features of Crusader Castles is the builders' use of pillars and lumps of masonry taken from classical sites. You can see this clearly in this section of wall from the castle of Jubail in Lebanon (which incidentally is one of my favourite castles!)

In our latest blog post the team transcribing and translating the survey of 22 castles and forts in southern England by a Dutch engineer in the C17 give an update on their work including the challenges and revelations the text has thrown up: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...

In our latest blog post the team transcribing and translating the survey of 22 castles and forts in southern England by a Dutch engineer in the C17 give an update on their work including the challenges and revelations the text has thrown up: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...

Not that you would think it, but there's a castle hidden behind the facade of Dalkeith Palace. Find out how much survives and why, read below.

On the outside Dalkeith Palace is a C17 building, but beneath the exterior, as is often the case with great houses, something far older is revealed as Dr Christian Clarkson, Heritage Consultant at Simpson and Brown discovered when preparing a conservation plan castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...

A mere 5 days to go! Send in your proposals!

When we saw the results of the dig and geophysical survey of Pembroke Castle, we assumed that there were no other structures in the outer ward except for the winged hall house. But was it? Find out the latest thinking here:

In 2016 and 2018 we funded the first ever geophys survey and dig at Pembroke Castle. These revealed the likely birth place of Henry VII, but equally importantly it spurred on further study. To find out the latest findings you can read Neil Ludlow's new blog: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...

The grant we received from the Castle Studies Trust has opened up so many opportunities for our community—from new research and volunteers to schools events. We’d highly recommend other groups apply, it’s a fantastic way to unlock fresh discoveries and bring people closer to their heritage.

We are now open to receive grant applications. Closing date is 3 months today, 1 December. Remember to send 2 completed references and when writing it think what questions you are trying to answer and whether methods proposed will help do that.

Amazing to be part of the geophysical survey with @crookston.bsky.social, the first full study of the site, supported by @castlestudies.bsky.social Exciting to think we might be uncovering some of the city's history hidden deep beneath the soil. @archscot.bsky.social @digitscotland.bsky.social

Just back from the amazing Friends @crookston.bsky.social Castle fun day at the castle As you can see the crowds were amazing, queuing to get in with nearly 1000 people attending, twice the expected number. Part of 3 days of community engagement, including the geophysical survey of the castle

The fourth of our projects gets underway at Crookston in Glasgow. See below to find out more.

You can also read more in the @glasgowtimes.bsky.social article too: www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/2541481...

On Friday, the Friends of @crookston.bsky.social Castle will start the first of three days of community led geophysical survey of the castle with the support of the Historic Environment Scotland survey team. Find out what they hope to find and achieve: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/08...

Originally put on the market last year for £9.5mn, if it carries on being reduced at this rate our chair of trustees will be searching for cash down the back of the sofa & raiding his piggy bank: www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2538811...

Anyone up for another great set of castles papers at Leeds next year? Send your best proposals for papers on time, castles, and everything in between. #CfP #castles Please share! @imc-leeds.bsky.social @castlestudies.bsky.social 🏰 🏯🏰🏯🏰🏯

At the conclusion of his post for us Dr Andrew Blackler says of the work we funded: "This is the sort of international research that the ‘seed capital’ provided by the Castle Studies Trust has spawned over the last three years." To find out about what and how see our latest blog below.

In 2022, we funded our 1st ever project in Greece, to try & understand the origins of the medieval towers Chalkida. we could not have imagined how transformative the project was and what it has led to in terms of more research. To find out what see read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...

The building survey we funded of Leybourne, revealed that the castle was likely commissioned by a woman. She wasn't alone as @racheldelman.bsky.social explores in this blog from 2020 on Mary of Guelders and her commissioning of buildings including castles: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2020/10...

Some excellent @castlestudies.bsky.social action @imc-leeds.bsky.social this afternoon! Organised by @willwyeth.bsky.social, 'Arguing About Castles' featured papers from @swallowtailarch.bsky.social, Christian Clarkson (Simpson & Brown), and Ryan Prescott (Leeds).

Is Leybourne Castle, Kent, a key castle in the transition from basic twin towered gatehouses to more sophisticated ones seen in Edward I’s castles? We funded Neil Ludlow & @henebtwa.bsky.social to find out, which they did so & more with a surprising discovery: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...

Is Leybourne Castle, Kent, a key castle in the transition from basic twin towered gatehouses to more sophisticated ones seen in Edward I’s castles? We funded Neil Ludlow & @henebtwa.bsky.social to find out, which they did so & more with a surprising discovery: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...

We're showing off our visualisation of Canterbury Castle today as part of Canterbury's Medieval Pageant. @katiemcgown.bsky.social @lvhicks.bsky.social @castlestudies.bsky.social

I'm actually talking about digital assets for teaching castles, but the digital model of Canterbury keep will get a mention. I hope we can test it on the incoming second years in the autumn. Anyway, this is what else I'm doing today - putting together this paper, too.

With the @imc-leeds.bsky.social a week away we look at papers on castles there. Many have close ties to us. Papers from trustee @kateweikert.bsky.social & assessor @swallowtailarch.bsky.social & incl papers on projects we have funded. To learn more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...

Passing #Clavering #Castle where the @castlestudies.bsky.social are completing an excavation, I made a flying visit. The castle earthworks are believed to date from C12th, but a reference in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle for 1052, is suggestive of a pre Norman Conquest defensive structure on the site.

As the excavation at Clavering Castle comes to a close, Dig Director Simon Coxall looks at what they have found - is there evidence of a pre-conquest castle - and what happens next to confirm or otherwise what they have found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...

A blog from me about... Digging Clavering Castle benspalimpsest.blogspot.com/2025/06/digg... @castlestudies.bsky.social

Really excited to be participating in #ScotlandDigs2025 Our @castlestudies.bsky.social funded project will explore hidden history to find answers to some key questions. Find out more here www.digitscotland.com/events/echoe...

Jeremy, chair of @castlestudies.bsky.social is getting getting in thick of action at Clavering Castle and helping out excavating the track way with finds already appearing...