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Ongar Castle

3 ha

📷 Mike Quinn · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome3 ha

Getting here

51.70528, 0.24724

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About Ongar Castle

Ongar Castle, or Chipping Ongar Castle, is a late 11th- or early 12th-century motte and bailey castle in Chipping Ongar, Essex, England. Only the earthworks and a single block of masonry survive today.

Read more on Wikipedia →
Motte-and-bailey castlescheduled monument

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦53+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Hobby and Jackdaw
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
ParkingToilets

Best for

11 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Hobby, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon +50 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Hobby, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon +50 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Syrphus, Eristalis tenax, Cheilosia +142 more · last seen 2026

Free

Family friendly

toilets

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 37 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Three Forests WayWalking route96 km
Named routeLength 96 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Stort Valley WayWalking route
Named route
Essex Way (Epping to Stratford St Mary)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
St Peter's WayWalking route66 km
Named routeLength 66 kmRegional walking route
Love Lanepublic footpath · 82 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 82 mPath type: service
Banson's Lanepublic footpath · 86 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 86 mPath type: service
St. Martin's Mewspublic footpath · 87 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 87 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

9 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 7Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route530 m
Named routeRef 1Length 530 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route7 km
Named routeRef 1Length 7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route9.3 km
Named routeRef 1Length 9.3 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route505 m
Named routeRef 1Length 505 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The motte of Ongar Castle (2)

📷 Mike Quinn · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The motte of Ongar Castle (2)

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Ongar CastleHistoric site0 m→🌱Love Lane ParkUrban park300 m→🌱Shelly ParkUrban park1.2 km→✦BLAKE HALLHistoric site2.4 km→✦Abandoned ToiletsHistoric site4.6 km→🌱Blackmore Millennium ParkUrban park4.7 km→