Owston Ferry Castle, motte-and-bailey castle in Owston Ferry, North Lincolnshire, England, UK
Owston Ferry Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress in Lincolnshire, consisting of a raised earthen mound with a protective ditch and outer defenses that once surrounded it. The mound remains clearly visible today, showing the typical form of this medieval castle design.
The fortress was built shortly after the Norman Conquest around 1066 but was dismantled in 1095. Roger de Mowbray rebuilt it in 1173 during the uprising of 1173-74, after which King Henry II ordered its destruction following the conflict.
The site is also known as Kinnard's Ferry Castle and remains rooted in the village community of Owston Ferry. Its location at a river crossing shows how it shaped the movement and connections of people in the region for centuries.
The site is open to the public and easy to explore on foot with no admission fee required. It is located in the village of Owston Ferry and can be reached via local roads in the area.
The fortress played a key role in controlling an important river crossing and was part of a broader network of defenses in the region. This strategic importance remains visible today through the preserved position and form of the mound.
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