Desford Castle

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameDesford Castle
Alternative Names
Historic CountryLeicestershire
Modern AuthorityLeicestershire
1974 AuthorityLeicestershire
Civil ParishDesford

Castle place name is suggestive of castle site.

Gatehouse Comments

From an ex-local Mike Murray Gatehouse received the following "Castle Hill motte site in Desford, the site is on a ridge outside of the village to the east of Peckleton Lane next to a ridge and furrow field, the conical shaped hill no longer exists but you can still the shape on an aeriel photograph" On the low resolution aerial photo's available a slight cropmark is visible with the eye of faith. The location of this lost mound, quite a way from the church might suggest a barrow or mil mound rather than a motte. It is not a focus for paths or roads. Perhaps a mound that has gained a 'castle' name from being the site of children's play. Further east was Barn Park, a deer park of the Earls of Leicester from the C12 until the C17. The was a keeper of Barn Park but it seems unlikely this site was a keepers residence.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK481029
Latitude52.6217918395996
Longitude-1.29013001918793
Eastings448160
Northings302910
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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

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Journals

  • Creighton, O.H., 1997, 'Early Leicestershire Castles: Archaeology and Landscape History' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol. 71 p. 29 online copy

Other

  • Mick Murray, 22 March 2003, pers. corr.