Pilsbury Castle

The earthworks of Pilsbury Castle can be found 3km from the village of Hartington, the walk follows a single track road through a very tranquil valley.When you get to the site of the castle you'll think where is it, you have to have a good imagination or go when the local Historical society are having a re-enactment day(see below). The Information Sign at the Castle grounds reads as follows "It is a motte and bailey castle and never had any stone buildings or walls. The motte or mound was the defensive core of the castle, probably with a wooden watchtower on top. The two baileys or enclosures contained timber buildings such as kitchens, stables, store-rooms and accommodation for the garrison. The baileys are protected by ditches, and banks which would have had a wooden palisade on top of them. There is evidence of a hollow-way (a sunken track) which would have been the access route from the south to an entrance in the southern bailey. Entry to the castle would have been across a bridge and through a gatehouse. The castle was built partly on a reef limestone knoll which is incorporated into its defences and extends onto a shale promontory overlooking the River Dove. It also overlooks a long rectangular hollow on the low ground north of the castle. This was probably a fishpond for supplying the occupants of the castle. We do not know precisely when the castle was built. It was certainly built after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and may have been after the unsuccessful rebellion in the north against William the Conqueror in 1068-69 as a reminder of the power of the king. Certainly, the castle would have controlled the Dove valley, the local population and all traffic along the valley route. The castle may only have continued in use for a few decades into the 12th century". We had a lovely picnic at the castle and then a cosy minibus ride back to Hartington.