Daw's Castle
Somerset, England
Photo via Google Maps
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Bishop's Lydeard, 10.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Alfred the Great's clifftop burh above Watchet; almost nothing survives above ground
Pinpoint
5MJ5+G3, Watchet TA23 0JP
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A clifftop earthwork above Watchet, founded by Alfred the Great to defend the town against Viking raids. Almost nothing of the fortress survives above ground today - what's left is a single overgrown wall fragment behind a fence, in a field reached along a public right of way now that the approach road up to it has been permanently closed to vehicles. The clifftop views over the Bristol Channel are the real draw; the castle itself is not.
At a glance
Who to know
Alfred the Great · founded the fortress to defend Watchet from Viking raids
Worth the trip
The clifftop view over the Bristol Channel, if you come for the walk rather than the castle.
Before you go
Parking near the site is very limited and the approach road (the B3191) is permanently closed to vehicles, so plan to walk or cycle in - and go in expecting an earthwork and a viewpoint, not standing masonry.
What visitors say
“The only thing left at this site is one wall, fully overgrown with foliage, behind a fence. Don't bother.”- Jarrod Hunt, visitor review
Within reach of Cardiff (22 miles), Bristol (38 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
King Alfred · 878
A sea-cliff fortification possibly of Iron Age origin, later rebuilt and fortified as a burh (fortress) by King Alfred around 878 AD as part of his coastal defence network against Viking raiders. Excavations revealed a first phase of defence with mortared walls from the Anglo-Saxon period, followed by a second phase rebuild in the late 9th or early 10th centuries against further Viking incursions. A Saxon mint was established at or near the fort in 1035.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parking limited and bear in mind the B3191 is closed permanently from here to Watchet, walking or cycling only.” - Graeme Brown
Common questions about Daw's Castle
Where is Daw's Castle?
Daw's Castle is in Somerset, England, at 5MJ5+G3, Watchet TA23 0JP.
Is Daw's Castle free to visit?
Yes - Daw's Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Daw's Castle?
The clifftop view over the Bristol Channel, if you come for the walk rather than the castle.
Is Daw's Castle a ruin or still intact?
Daw's Castle is a ruin - Alfred the Great's clifftop burh above Watchet; almost nothing survives above ground.
