Pilsbury Castle

Pilsbury Castle is a Norman fortification with a raised mound and two surrounding earthwork enclosures positioned above the River Dove in Derbyshire. The surviving earthwork structures clearly show where wooden buildings once stood and how the fort was organized.

The castle was founded during the Norman period, likely by Henry de Ferrers who received land grants from King William after 1066. It was one of many fortifications built to establish Norman control over newly conquered English territory.

The site shows how Norman lords expressed their authority through fortified earthworks. Walking across the mounds, visitors can sense how these structures dominated the local landscape.

The site is accessible via public footpaths and remains open without restrictions for visitors to explore. Since only earthworks survive, you can walk around freely and examine the layout from different vantage points.

Excavations between 1880 and 1885 uncovered medieval artifacts beneath the earthworks, including a coin from the 13th century. These discoveries reveal the long span of human activity preserved in the soil beneath your feet.