Castlefacts³

Nether Whitacre Windmill Hill

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Nether Whitacre Windmill Hill
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Warwickshire
Modern Authority	Warwickshire
1974 Authority	Warwickshire
Civil Parish	Nether Whitacre

A 'motte'. In 1961 ditch was fairly well preserved in places. The mound is located on Windmill Hill. 1967 the ditch had been ploughed away and there was no evidence to suggest that this was anything other than a windmill mound. 1976 the mound, situated on a north-east south-west ridge, measures, at ground level, 25m E-W and 20m N-S. There are traces of a surrounding ditch on the E and S. The summit, at 3m height, has been dug into from the N side to a depth of 1m. The situation would be equally admirable for a motte or mill. It is probable that the feature represents a mill mound modelled out of an existing motte (OS Record). A tree covered mound in the middle of a ploughed field. (SMR record card) I can see no reason to suggest that this mound is anything other than a mill mound (Hingley, R., 1987). (Warwickshire HER)

A motte situated 200 yds. to the North of the village of Nether Whitacre, near the Dog Inn. Ditch fairly well preserved in places. Diameter of Motte E-W 50 ft: N-S 33 ft. Height about 11 ft (Field Notebook (D.J.C.King 17.4.55)). Windmill Hill (published O.S. 25" 1957)at SP 22969321 is as described by King, except that the ditch has, presumably, been ploughed away. There is no evidence to suggest that it is other than a mill mound (F1 FRH 17-APR-67). The mound, situated upon a north east-south west ridge, measures, at ground level, 25.0m east-west by 20.0m north-south. There are traces of a surrounding ditch on the east and south. The summit, at 3.0m height, has been dug into from the north side to a depth of 1.0m. The situation would be equally admirable for a motte or a mill. It is therefore probable that the feature represents a mill mound modelled out of an existing motte (F2 ASP 27-AUG-76). Nether Whitacre. Motte, rather damaged, no sign of bailey. May have ended as a millstead (King, 1983). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Although not far from the church there is little to suggest this site was ever a manorial centre. According to Dugdale this was a manor of the Marmions, who would not have needed a residence here but it may have been held by a knight in their service. The later manorial centre, with a park, was somewhat to the east at Whitacre Hall where a moat survives. Is there any reasons to believe this was not the manorial centre from the first?

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

334377

County Historic Environment Record

timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?SMRSearch=true&monuid=WA70

OS Map Grid Reference	SP229932
Latitude	52.5363006591797
Longitude	-1.66279995441437
Eastings	422960
Northings	293210