Buckton Castle

Buckton Castle is a sandstone fortress perched on a hilltop in Mossley, commanding views over the Tame River valley below. The ruins still display the recognizable outline of a medieval stronghold with visible wall fragments scattered across the site.

The castle was built around 1200 and ranks among the earliest stone fortifications in Northwest England. Its first written mention appears in records dating from 1360.

Archaeological investigations between 1996 and 2010 by the University of Manchester and University of Salford revealed patterns of medieval military architecture.

You can reach the ruins through marked pathways starting from Carrbrook village. On clear days the hilltop offers broad views across Greater Manchester and the surrounding landscape.

During World War II the castle was used as an anti-aircraft decoy site to shield nearby industrial areas from German bombing raids. This wartime role represents a lesser-known chapter in the location's recent past.

Location: Mossley

Inception: 12 century

Elevation above the sea: 335 m

Made from material: sandstone

GPS coordinates: 53.51116,-2.01780

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27