Barwick-in-Elmet Castle

Barwick-in-Elmet Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey fortification in Barwick in Elmet, consisting of two earthwork mounds surrounded by deep defensive ditches. The site displays the typical structure of Norman-era castles with raised earth ramparts and interconnected trenches.

Following the Norman Conquest, Ilbert de Lacy received these lands and constructed the fortification on top of an earlier Iron Age settlement. The structure served as an administrative stronghold for Norman control in the region during the medieval period.

The fortification represents the evolution of medieval military architecture, demonstrating the transition from basic defensive structures to administrative centers of Norman authority.

The remains are accessible via a path behind the Methodist church, with the motte rising approximately 15 meters above the surrounding ground. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and wear sturdy footwear for exploring the site.

During World War II, the Royal Observer Corps used the motte as an aircraft spotting post, and the concrete platform at the summit remains visible today. This unexpected military repurposing connects the site to a much later chapter in British defence history.

Location: Barwick in Elmet and Scholes

GPS coordinates: 53.83330,-1.39519

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:27