Oldcastle Castle Hill
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Oldcastle Castle Hill |
| Alternative Names | Old Castle |
| Historic Country | Cheshire |
| Modern Authority | Cheshire |
| 1974 Authority | Cheshire |
| Civil Parish | Oldcastle |
Situated on a spur overlooking the deep valley of the Wych Brook. In 1882, Ormerod noted a number of small hills & on the summit of one were indications of the works of an ancient fortress. In July 1957, the felling of trees revealed an impressive earthwork, consisting of a small platform on the crest of the spur c.100ft x 36ft, with well-defined ditch systems along each end. At the SE end, overlooking the river are 3 short transverse ditches, each c.60ft long x 40ft wide & 16ft deep. At the NW end, the neck of the spur is cut by 2 ditches, the inner one being 60-70ft wide. This inner ditch was sectioned by a trench 14ft long x 3ft wide. The fill was clean, undifferentiated clay, 4.5ft deep to the bottom of the ditch. No finds. Trenching on the platform produced no finds, but there were indications of a layer of stone on the natural clay & a possible hearth. Possibly an outpost to the castle at Malpas. Motte castle in strategic position on a narrow promontory formed by a meander of the Wych brook on the England - Wales border. Site comprises Motte c.30m x 11m in a central position along the promontory. The Motte is protected by a well defined system of defensive features including 3 short traverse ditches to the SE river side of the Motte & and a further 2 banked ditches to the NW landward side. (Cheshire HER)
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 Reference | SJ467441 |
| Latitude | 52.9917411804199 |
| Longitude | -2.79355001449585 |
| Eastings | 346780 |
| Northings | 344140 |
