Castle Carrock Hallsteads

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCastle Carrock Hallsteads
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishCastle Carrock

Large flat topped mound averaging 3m high. Originally sub-rectangular in shape it has been levelled to the south by waterworks, construction of which in 1904 apparantly showed the earthwork to be 'natural'. However, a squared log and large charred pointed stake found at the site have been used to suggest a palisade or stockade. An earthwork mound at this location is visible on aerial photographs, and has been mapped by English Heritage's Hadrian's Wall NMP. Scheduled as a 'camp'. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Appears as a substantial feature on the early OS maps and still visible on air photo. The mound may be natural but the field pattern on the old maps, the finds of a possible palisade, the place-name and the long history of being considered as an antiquity do suggest some use other than run of the mill agriculture. Carrock may be derived from Carog - a celtic word than can mean fortified place. The more probable location of the medieval manor house/castle of Castle Carrock is just east of the church.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY545551
Latitude54.8888397216797
Longitude-2.71005010604858
Eastings354550
Northings555130
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Jackson, M.J.,1990, Castles of Cumbria (Carlisle: Carel Press) p. 95
  • Collingwood, W.G., 1901, 'Remains of the pre-Norman Period' in H.Arthur Doubleday (ed), VCH Cumberland Vol. 1 p. 293 online copy

Journals

  • Steavenson, Hodgson and Hodgson, 1908, 'Hallsteads, Castle Carrock' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 8 p. 248-52 online copy
  • Hall, G. Rome, 1883, 'On Ancient Remains, chiefly Prehistoric, in Geltsdale, Cumberland' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 6.2 p. 465 online copy