High Cross

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are uncertain remains

NameHigh Cross
Alternative Names
Historic CountryWestmorland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishLakes

Site of a possible motte and bailey (an early form of castle consisting of a flat-top steep-sided earthen mound, supporting a wooden tower, and a bailey) of Medieval date. According to Dr Welsh there is a site here which may either be natural, or a possible motte and bailey. "The summit comprises a rounded elevation 2m higher than adjacent ground to E, trapezoidal in shape, greatest axis 20m, the ground to E is 14m deep, max 30m wide, across the shoulders of two spurs and the slight depression between them. At this level the hill rises 3 to 4 metres on all sides over about 15m distance. N and especially S where deep are ditches formed by flanking co-curved ridges, which could be the result of melting ice, but as mentioned above, are rather suspect in this particular location. The site deserves some scrutiny in case it has been adapted for defensive use (Dr Welsh)." (Lake District HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Does not seem to be in PastScape. By a river crossing and a High Cross Castle place-name nearby, although this, almost certainly, refers to a, nearby, Iron Age hillfort. Isolated from settlement. Nothing obvious on air photo. Clearly even the original reporter had doubts about this site and Gatehouse considers it highly unlikely as a medieval castle.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY406015
Latitude54.405590057373
Longitude-2.91588997840881
Eastings340600
Northings501500
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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