Rochdale Castle Hill
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)
There are no visible remains
| Name | Rochdale Castle Hill |
| Alternative Names | Castleton; castelli de Racheham |
| Historic Country | Lancashire |
| Modern Authority | Rochdale |
| 1974 Authority | Greater Manchester |
| Civil Parish | Rochdale |
Rochdale Castle (motte & bailey) is situated about 1/4 mile to the south-west of old Rochdale Parish Church, upon the top of a natural feature called 'Castle Hill'. The earthworks are considerably mutilated by modern development, but Fishwick's plan depicts them as they were in 1823. The mound, now demolished, stood at the north end of the hill, at the apex of a triangular platform, and was flat topped, with a basal diameter of about 100ft. The bailey, to the south, was an irregular square measuring 120ft east to west, and 100ft north to south. An earthen rampart which formerly surrounded it is still intact on the east, west and part of the south sides, together with traces of an outer ditch. There was originally a second ditch at the foot of the hill to the south and south-east.
The Castle was an important fortalice in early Norman, perhaps even in pre-Conquest days. It was abandoned certainly as early as the first years of the 13th century (VCH 1908).
No remains, now completely built over (F1 BHP 29-SEP-76). (PastScape)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SD891128 |
| Latitude | 53.6121788024902 |
| Longitude | -2.16591000556946 |
| Eastings | 389120 |
| Northings | 412860 |
