Halton Castle | What’s left of this original c1071 Motte-and-Bailey castle?

Описание: Halton Castle is a castle in the village of Halton, part of the town of Runcorn, Cheshire, England. The castle is on the top of Halton Hill, a sandstone prominence overlooking the village.

The castle is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and a scheduled monument.

The first castle here was a timber motte and bailey castle. It was probably built by Nigel, the first baron of Halton, in c1070. This was on land given to him by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester. Lupus was given the county of Cheshire by his uncle - William the Conqueror. The castle was used as a prison for Roman Catholic recusants in 1579. Recusants were Roman Catholics who refuse to attend services of the Church of England. It was besieged and captured by Sir William Brereton in 1643 and partly demolished on Cromwell's orders in 1644.

In around 1800, three folly walls had been added to the existing ruined walls on the east side of the castle to make it look more impressive from Norton Priory, the home of Sir Richard Brooke. One of these walls was demolished in around 1906. During the Victorian era a sunken garden and two bowling greens were constructed within the castle enclosure. In 1977 the castle was leased to Halton Borough Council. In 1986–87 the site of the castle was excavated.


Present state:

Former courthouse of the castle, now The Castle public house.

The castle continues to be owned by the Duchy of Lancaster. It is leased from the Duchy by Halton Borough Council with support from The Norton Priory Museum Trust. The castle is a Grade I listed building. Its walls are in a ruinous state, but the circumference is intact and it is possible to walk completely around the exterior. From its prominent position there are extensive views in all directions, including Lancashire, Cheshire, the Pennines, the hills of the Peak District and the mountains of North Wales. The courthouse is now a public house, The Castle, Halton. Its first floor is used as a function room and the basement contains the cellars of the public house.

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