Halton Motte and Bailey Castle

Located in a prominent position above the valley of the River Lune sits Halton Motte and Bailey Castle. Little remains of the structure but the earthworks of both the motte and bailey areas are still visible today.

The castle would have originally consisted of a small wooden, fortified tower on the motte (mound) and numerous smaller buildings within the flatter bailey area. Both areas would be surrounded by a wooden palisade fence that sat upon an earthwork bank and ditch. The remains of the motte are around 30m in diameter at the base and 3.2m in height. The top of the motte is 9.5m wide.

While nothing of the original structure remains, there are some historic elements visible on the motte, although it is a more modern history. The remains of the base of a wartime lookout post can still be seen, which would have given those manning it good views up and down the River Lune valley.

While it is not certain when the castle was built, most sources believe that it was it around 1092, a little later than the original Norman invasion and during the reign of King William II, in order to establish a permanent frontier against the Scots. It is though that it was built by Roger de Poitou who was gifted most of North Lancashire by the King.

Halton Castle is part of a string of motte and bailey castles established along the River Lune valley stretching from Tebay in the north to Lancaster in the south. They were built at strategic points that provided extensive views up and down the valley and also to protect crossing points of the River Lune.