Hamsterley Castles
Has been described as a Rejected Uncertain
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Hamsterley Castles |
| Alternative Names | The Castles; Harthope Castle |
| Historic Country | Durham |
| Modern Authority | Durham |
| 1974 Authority | County Durham |
| Civil Parish | South Bedburn |
The Castle at South Bedburn is the remains of a large stone-built enclosure. It is surrounded by a large dry-stone rubble wall. Although no firm date can be given to the site it seems likely that the structure was built sometime in the 5th to 7th centuries AD by a local king who still wanted Roman-style military forts but lacked the technological skills to construct a true fort. Other possible uses have included that of a Roman (AD43 to 410) camp for workers in lead mines in Weardale. The find of an Iron Age (800BC to AD43) quern stone, in association with the site may also mean that the site has an Iron Age origin. (Keys to the Past)
An enigmatic earthwork with dry stone walls of uncertain date.' The Castles' is a trapezoidal enclosure covering just over an acre with dry stone rubble walls averaging 16 feet thick and originally 11 feet high. There is late ridge and furrow inside the enclosure. Trenching of the site has failed to establish its function. A few Bronze Age flints, including an arrowhead have been found on the site. (PastScape)
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 | NZ103330 |
| Latitude | 54.692569732666 |
| Longitude | -1.84093999862671 |
| Eastings | 410350 |
| Northings | 533070 |
