Buckton Castle

Buckton Castle is a medieval ringwork near Carrbrook, Stalybridge, England. It is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument due to its proximity to the Buckton Vale Quarry. The castle is oval, with a stone curtain wall 3 metres (10 ft) wide, surrounded by a ditch 10 metres (33 ft) wide and 6 metres (20 ft) deep. Buckton Castle was probably constructed for William de Neville in the late 12th century; it was lying derelict by 1360. The small number of finds retrieved during archaeological investigation of the site indicates that Buckton Castle may not have been completed.

In the 16th century, the site was used as a beacon for the Pilgrimage of Grace. During the 18th century, the castle was of interest to treasure hunters following rumours of the presence of buried treasure. It was used as an anti-aircraft decoy site in the Second World War. The castle is overgrown with heather and peat, and there are no above-ground ruins. Since 1996, the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit has been involved in excavations to maintain the site and reveal more information on its origins and purpose.

Read more about Buckton CastleLocation, History, Layout

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List Of Scheduled Monuments In Greater Manchester - Tameside
... Name Remains Date Location Description Ref(s) Buckton Castle Below ground remains 011180s Carrbrook 53°30′40″N 2°00′58″W / 53.511059°N 2.016212°W ... The castle was first referred to in 1360, when it was in a ruinous state ... The castle is circular, measuring 35 m (115 ft) and 45 m (148 ft) along the axes, and is surrounded by a 10 m (33 ft) wide and 6 m (20 ft) deep ditch ...
Buckton Castle - Layout
... Buckton Castle is a ringwork castle, which is a roughly circular area enclosed by defences such as a ditch a ringwork is similar to a bailey from a motte and bailey castle ... The castle is oval, measuring 35 metres (115 ft) across the minor axis and 45 metres (148 ft) along the major ... The interior of the castle is artificially raised 1.5 metres (5 ft) above ground level ...

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