The lost Cambridgeshire castle known as Giant's Hill built to stop rebels

The lost castle of Rampton is now known as Giant's Hill
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


Earthworks concealing the remains of long-lost castles can be found across the UK. In Cambridgeshire, some of these have unimaginative names, like Castle Mound in Cambridge or Ely.

The site of the lost castle at Rampton is far more interesting. It is known as Giant's Hill, though why or how it became known as this is unclear.

Like many lost castles in Cambridgeshire, Rampton's was built during a period known as The Anarchy under the reign of King Stephen. The chain of fortifications across the East of England were intended to contain the revolt of a rebel earl called Geoffrey de Mandeville, according to Historic England.

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De Mandeville died after being shot by a crossbow at nearby Burwell Castle, which was never completed. Rampton was likely under construction when de Mandeville was killed – and, like Burwell, it was left unfinished once no longer needed.

The castles also served a symbolic purpose to assert the king's power, showing he had the resources to build defences across the region. In Rampton, the castle was built by local peasants who had to destroy some of their homes in the process, according to a 2010 BBC article.

After the castle became obsolete, the site was abandoned, with many of the villagers moving to neighbouring Cottenham and Willingham. There may have been a manor house built there in the Middle Ages, but now the castle site is a peaceful grassy 'pocket park'.

The earthworks remain, surrounded by a moat, with people able to walk around and enjoy the peace of the Giant's Hill. It is a scheduled monument, meaning it will likely remain undisturbed for many more centuries to come.