List of castles in Cheshire facts for kids
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Cheshire, a county in North West England, is home to 20 castles. These amazing old buildings tell us a lot about history. Castles were super important long ago for protecting land and showing power.
Contents
What are Castles?
Castles became popular in England after the Normans arrived in 1066. Before that, people built community defenses called burhs to protect against invaders like the Danes. Castles, however, were usually owned by powerful lords. Their main job was to be a military base and control the areas around them. Castles also showed how important a lord was and sometimes acted as centers for trade and managing land.
Different Kinds of Castles
Castles came in different shapes and sizes. The most common type was the motte-and-bailey castle. This had a motte (a big mound of earth) with a tower or keep on top. Next to the motte was a bailey, which was an enclosed area where soldiers lived and workshops were located.
Other types of castles in Cheshire include ringworks and fortified manor houses. Ringworks are like motte-and-bailey castles but without the big mound. They were built when the ground wasn't good for a motte, or simply because the builder preferred that style. A fortified manor house was a lord's home and the main office for a manor (a section of land). They are called castles because they often had strong walls with battlements (the tooth-like tops of walls) or crenellations (the gaps in battlements where archers could shoot).
Cheshire's Role in History
Cheshire was very important for defending England because it was right next to Wales. Many castles were built along this border. In fact, 8 out of 20 castles in Cheshire are within 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of the Welsh border! These castles were built when the Norman invasion of Wales was tough. If the conquest was easy, fewer castles were needed. Most of these border castles were motte-and-baileys, first made of wood and earth. Later, if a castle was needed for a long time, it might be rebuilt with stone.
Away from the border, other castles were built by powerful lords. These were often symbols of their wealth and status. Castles in Cheshire were built over many centuries, from 1070 to the 15th century. Most, 12 out of 20, were built between 1070 and the late 1100s. Castles built after the 13th century were often tower houses or fortified manor houses. These were more about showing off and living comfortably than being purely military strongholds. This trend was happening all over England.
What Remains Today?
Most castles in Cheshire are now in ruins. They were left to crumble after they were no longer needed for fighting. Many of these old sites are protected by law. For example, 11 sites are Scheduled Monuments, which means they are "nationally important" historic sites protected from harm. Five others are listed buildings, which also gives them special protection.
Castles in Cheshire
| Castle | Location | Type | Constructed | Scheduled Monument | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldford Castle | Aldford 53°07′49″N 2°52′11″W / 53.1304°N 2.8698°W |
Motte-and-bailey and shell keep | 12th century | Yes | This castle has a motte (mound) that is 5.2 meters (17 feet) high, surrounded by a wide ditch. The bailey (enclosed area) is triangular and also has a ditch. A later manor house might have been built on the motte. |
| Beeston Castle | Beeston 53°07′40″N 2°41′26″W / 53.127894°N 2.690455°W |
Enclosure | 1220s | Yes | Beeston Castle sits on a rocky cliff 90 meters (295 feet) above the land, offering great views. It has an outer and inner bailey but no motte. It was built in the 1220s by Ranulf de Blondeville. The castle was involved in wars, including the English Civil War, where its defenses were later destroyed in 1646. Today, it is a museum and a protected historic building. |
| Bradlegh Old Hall | Burtonwood 53°26′24″N 2°38′47″W / 53.4399°N 2.6463°W |
Fortified manor house | 15th century | Yes | This manor house was built in the 15th century with a moat and a strong gatehouse. It was owned by the Legh family. Only the gatehouse and moat from the 15th century still survive. |
| Chester Castle | Chester 53°11′06″N 2°53′27″W / 53.185091°N 2.890729°W |
Motte-and-bailey (also a possible ringwork) | 1070 | Yes | Built by William the Conqueror in 1070, this castle started as wood and earth, then was rebuilt in stone. It was expanded in the 13th century during the Welsh Wars. It served as the main office for the Earls of Chester. After a fire in the 18th century, only the Agricola Tower and some walls remained. |
| Doddington Castle | Doddington 53°01′10″N 2°26′03″W / 53.019424°N 2.434224°W |
Tower house | 1364–1403 | No | Doddington Castle was built as a tall, separate tower by Sir John Delves. It was later part of houses that were torn down, but the tower was kept as a landmark. It is three stories high and made of sandstone. |
| Dodleston Castle | Dodleston 53°08′27″N 2°57′17″W / 53.140902°N 2.954703°W |
Motte-and-bailey | Medieval | Yes | This castle has a 3.3 meter (11 feet) high motte surrounded by a deep ditch. The bailey to the west also has a rampart and ditch. The site has been changed by later building work. |
| Frodsham Castle | Frodsham 53°17′32″N 2°43′46″W / 53.29236°N 2.729414°W |
Unknown | 1070 | No | Located at the foot of Overton Hill, this castle guarded a pass. It was likely built by Hugh Lupus, the first Earl of Chester. The original Norman castle collapsed in the 14th century and was replaced by a fortified manor house, which burned down in 1654. No visible parts remain, but some foundations are in the cellars of a later building. |
| Halton Castle | Halton, Runcorn 53°19′58″N 2°41′40″W / 53.332844°N 2.694361°W |
Motte-and-bailey | c. 1070 | Yes | Halton Castle sits on Halton Hill, overlooking the River Mersey. It was probably built in the late 11th century, with the first wooden castle later replaced by stone. It became property of the Crown. By 1609, it was falling apart. It was used in the English Civil War, but its defenses were later removed. The castle ruins are now a protected historic building. |
| Kingsley Castle | Manley 53°15′21″N 2°41′59″W / 53.2558°N 2.6998°W |
Motte | Medieval, possibly Norman | Yes | Only the motte (mound) remains, standing 2.8 meters (9 feet) high and 23 meters (75 feet) wide. There are no signs of a ditch or bailey around it. |
| Macclesfield Castle | Macclesfield 53°15′32″N 2°07′27″W / 53.258926°N 2.12421°W |
Fortified manor house | 1398 | No | Built in Macclesfield by John de Macclesfield, this castle was square with wings. It was later known as Buckingham Palace. By 1585, it was in ruins. By the 1900s, only the porch was left, which was torn down in 1932. |
| Malpas Castle | Malpas 53°01′10″N 2°45′57″W / 53.019549°N 2.765804°W |
Motte | Probable 12th century | Yes | Located in the Broxton Hills, this castle was part of the defenses along the Welsh border. It was likely built in the 12th century. The motte is 3.7 meters (12 feet) high and surrounded by a ditch. |
| Nantwich Castle | Nantwich 53°03′59″N 2°31′17″W / 53.066452°N 2.521413°W |
Unknown | Before 1180 | No | This castle was already in ruins by 1485. No traces of it remain today, and streets now cover the site. |
| Newhall Tower | Newhall 53°00′17″N 2°34′55″W / 53.0046°N 2.5820°W |
Tower house | c. 1227 | No | Newhall Tower was probably built around 1227. It was still in use in 1363 but was in ruins by the late 1500s. Its exact location is unclear, but earthworks with a central mound are the most likely spot. |
| Northwich Castle | Northwich 53°15′32″N 2°31′05″W / 53.259°N 2.518°W |
Motte | Probable 12th century | No | This castle is mentioned in records from the 1190s and 1278. However, searches have not found its exact location. |
| Oldcastle | Oldcastle 52°59′30″N 2°47′34″W / 52.991681°N 2.792876°W |
Unknown | 13th century | No | The first mention of Oldcastle is from 1288. By 1485, it was in ruins. Not much is known about this castle, but it was surrounded by two defensive ditches. |
| Pulford Castle | Pulford 53°07′16″N 2°56′00″W / 53.121069°N 2.933267°W |
Motte-and-bailey | Late 12th century | Yes | First mentioned between 1190 and 1220, this castle was given to the Pulford family in 1245. In 1403, King Henry IV ordered it to be defended against Owain Glyndŵr. The motte is 3 meters (10 feet) high and protected by a ditch. |
| Shipbrook Castle | Davenham 53°14′08″N 2°29′21″W / 53.235692°N 2.489153°W |
Unknown | 11th–12th centuries | No | The exact location of Shipbrook Castle is not certain, but it's thought to be on Castle Hill. It was one of the castles built for defense during the Welsh Wars. It was torn down around 1850. |
| Shocklach Castle | Shocklach 53°03′06″N 2°50′37″W / 53.051612°N 2.843735°W |
Fortified manor house | 1100 | Yes | Shocklach Castle is on the edge of a steep valley. The earliest part was a motte with a ditch. Later, a fortified manor house was built nearby, surrounded by a moat. This castle was part of the defenses along the Welsh border. |
| Shotwick Castle | Shotwick 53°13′37″N 2°58′27″W / 53.226871°N 2.974293°W |
Motte-and-bailey | Probably pre-1093 | Yes | This castle was built on a steep slope near the River Dee estuary, guarding a river crossing. It was likely built by Hugh Lupus, 1st Earl of Chester. It was used for border defense until peace came in 1281. After that, it became part of a royal estate. It was in ruins by 1621 and torn down in 1756. Only earthworks remain today. |
| Warrington Castle | Warrington 53°23′31″N 2°34′34″W / 53.392°N 2.576°W |
Motte-and-bailey | Medieval, possibly Norman | No | Warrington Castle was on a small hill overlooking a river crossing. It was probably built in the Norman period. It was the largest motte-and-bailey castle in Lancashire (though now in Cheshire). By 1587, it was falling apart. No trace of the castle remains today, and a park now covers the site. |
Other Names for Castles
Some castles in the list have more than one name. Here are some of them:
- Doddington Castle is also known as Delves Hall.
- Dodleston Castle is also known as Castle Cob.
- Macclesfield Castle is also known as Buckingham Palace and Buckingham Castle.
- Shipbrook Castle is also known as Castle Hill.
- Warrington Castle is also known as The Mount, The Motte, and Moat Hill.
See Also
- List of castles in England
- List of castles in Greater Manchester
- List of scheduled monuments in Cheshire (1066–1539)
- Mow Cop Castle – an 18th-century folly (a building built just for decoration)
- Peckforton Castle – a 19th-century house
- Welsh Marches
Images for kids
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Only earthworks remain of the 12th century Aldford Castle.
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Beeston Castle seen from the south, built on a rocky summit 110 meters (360 feet) above the Cheshire Plain.
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An engraving of Beeston Castle from 1727 by the Buck Brothers, showing it from the south. By this time, the castle's defenses had been taken apart.
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Beeston Castle gateway to the main keep.
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An engraving by the Buck Brothers of Chester Castle in 1747.
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The curtain walls of Chester Castle.
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Ruins of Frodsham Castle in the 18th century.
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Halton Castle in 1727. Engraving by the Buck brothers.
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Part of the ruins of Halton Castle in 2006.
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Only earthworks survive of Shotwick Castle.
