Argleton Castle

The hill above the village

The remains of Argleton Castle rise above the western fields. Even in ruin, the old keep offers the clearest view of the village and the woods beyond it.

From stronghold to landmark

A fortified hall was raised on the hill in the late thirteenth century to watch the ridge road and protect local stores. It grew into a small stone castle over the following century. By the seventeenth century it had lost its military purpose; weather and the reuse of loose stone did the rest.

What remains

Visitors can see the outer wall, the broken keep and traces of a stair leading toward the upper rooms. The lower courtyard is open on marked days. The upper passage is closed because several boards and sections of masonry are unsafe.

Visiting respectfully

Please stay behind the fence when the grounds are closed. Loose stone, sudden drops and wet steps have caused injuries. The castle is at its best in morning light; the walk from the village green takes about twenty minutes at an unhurried pace.

The lower walk

The castle group normally opens the lower courtyard on Sunday afternoons, weather permitting. Check the notice at the green before setting out. The 1988 repairs restored drainage and the lower path, not the upper rooms.