Coanwood Castle Hill

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameCoanwood Castle Hill
Alternative NamesLambley
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishCoanwood

Site of a probable motte of the Scottish ridge or promontory type partly removed by the construction of a railway. On the north east and east sides a ditch measuring 26m in width and having a maximum depth of 10m has been cut across the lower slopes forming a defensive area. A signal station is also thought to have been present on Castle Hill. (PastScape)

A signal station upon CASTLE HILL, rectangular in shape, but only 35 yards by 24. On three sides it is defended by steep escarpments; on the east and partly on the south, it is cut off from the main land by a ditch 60 feet wide by 25 deep (Hodgson 1840).

CASTLE HILL is a natural flat-topped knoll, the greater part of which has been removed by the construction of a railway. On the north-east and east sides, a ditch measuring 26.0m. in width and having a maximum depth of 10.0m. has been cut across the lower slopes forming a defensive area. There are no traces of an entrance or causeway across the ditch. The feature is probably a Motte of the Scottish ridge or promontory type (F1 ASP 22-NOV-56).

Correctly described, but in poor condition (F2 RWE 14-SEP-66). (PastScape)

A natural mound, which has been converted for defensive purposes possibly in medieval times. A steep slope naturally protects three sides of the mound, while one side has had an enormous ditch constructed to protect it. Much of the site has been damaged by the construction of a railway. (Keys to the Past)

Gatehouse Comments

Very damaged. Recorded by King as a 'possible' site meaning he had considerable doubt about the site.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY676585
Latitude54.9208793640137
Longitude-2.50602006912231
Eastings367670
Northings558580
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 114 (slight)
  • Jackson, M.J.,1992, Castles of Northumbria (Carlisle) p. 45
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 356 (possible)
  • Tomlinson, W.W., 1897, Comprehensive Guide to Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) p. 178
  • Hodgson, J., 1840, History of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Part 2 Vol. 3 p. 91 (as Roman signal station) online copy
  • Hodgson, J. and Laird, F., 1813, Beauties of England and Wales; Northumberland Vol. 12 p. 111

Journals

  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • Hodgson, J.C., 1916, 'List of Ruined Towers, Chapels, etc., in Northumberland; compiled about 1715 by John Warburton, Somerset Herald, aided by John Horsley' Archaeologia Aeliana (ser3) Vol. 13 p. 11