Egremont Castle, Medieval fortress in Egremont, England
Egremont Castle is a ruined motte-and-bailey castle in Egremont, Cumbria, set on a raised earthen mound above the River Ehen. Stone walls, earthworks, and the outline of the original bailey are still visible across the site.
William de Meschines built the castle in the early 12th century on top of an existing Norman earthwork. The structure was gradually abandoned over the centuries, leaving the ruins that stand today.
Egremont Castle inspired William Wordsworth to write a poem about a legendary horn that, according to local tradition, only the rightful heir could sound. Visitors who walk the grounds today can still feel why this place captured the imagination of poets.
The site is freely accessible throughout the year with no gate or barrier to pass. Sturdy footwear is a good idea because the mound is steep and the ground can be uneven underfoot.
Parts of the medieval Great Hall are still standing within the ruins, located at the far end of the outer bailey. This shows that the builders chose to work around existing structures rather than tear them down.
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