Marisco Castle, Keep and Bailey Walls
MARISCO CASTLE, KEEP AND BAILEY WALLS
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1104957
- Date first listed:
- 07-Oct-1991
- List Entry Name:
- Marisco Castle, Keep and Bailey Walls
- Statutory Address:
- MARISCO CASTLE, KEEP AND BAILEY WALLS
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1104957
- Date first listed:
- 07-Oct-1991
- List Entry Name:
- Marisco Castle, Keep and Bailey Walls
- Statutory Address 1:
- MARISCO CASTLE, KEEP AND BAILEY WALLS
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- MARISCO CASTLE, KEEP AND BAILEY WALLS
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Devon
- District:
- Torridge (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SS 14146 43772
Details
LUNDY
SS14SW Marisco Castle, Keep and Bailey 1938-0/2/5 Walls
II*
Castle keep and bailey walls. Built in 1243 by Henry III, remodelled as cottages in circa mid C19 and again as holiday cottages by Landmark Trust in late C20. Stone rubble, C20 corrugated sheet metal roofs inside walls. Keep is approximately square on plan with projecting towers on east and west sides. Inside the keep fishermen's cottages were built in circa mid C19 against the outer walls on the north-east and south sides. These cottages have been largely rebuilt in the C20. In 1887 a lean-to outshut was built outside against the north side of the keep to house the terminal of the telegraph cable.
Exterior: The low square keep has slightly battered walls, battlements and round turrets on the corners and as chimneys. Projection at centre of east side with tower breaking forward of centre. The entrance into the keep is through the side of a projection on the west side. The walls of the keep are blind except for a few small windows and putlog holes on the east side. On north side an outshut (now cottage) with lean-to corrugated asbestos roof. Inside keep the cottages are 2 storeys and have C20 2-light casements with glazing bars and brick lined openings.
Including bailey walls: remains of battered stone rubble revetments to south, east and north east and fosse on landward side to north west where gate was situated.
Interior: The interiors of the cottages are late C20.
Historical note: Marisco Castle was built in 1243 after Henry III had executed William de Marisco in 1242 for treason. The de Marisco family, who held Lundy from the C122 to 1321 were pirates who terrorised this coast, but as reputed descendants of a royal bastard they made claims to the throne. The Castle was refortified during the Civil War. (Lundy:A and M Langham).
Listing NGR: SS1414643772
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 91981
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Langham, A, Langham, M, Lundy, (1970)
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 09-Jun-2026 at 22:07:02.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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