Twizell Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Duddo, England
Twizell Castle is a medieval castle ruin in Duddo, in the far north of England near the Scottish border. It has round towers at each corner and a south wall that still holds four vaulted rooms built with stone and brick.
The first written record of Twizell Castle dates to 1415, when it was held by Sir John Heron. In 1496, Scottish forces attacked and left the castle badly damaged, a sign of how exposed this border area was to armed conflict.
Twizell Castle sits in open countryside close to the Scottish border, and that proximity still gives the place a particular feeling. Walkers passing along the public footpath by the River Till often stop to look at the towers rising above the trees.
The ruins are accessible by a public footpath that runs close to the structure and also passes by the River Till nearby. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the path can be muddy depending on the weather.
The basement rooms at Twizell Castle were built with a combination of stone and brick vaults specifically intended to protect against fire, which was an unusual construction choice for that time and place. This detail suggests the building was given more care and resources than a typical border fortification of the period.
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