Wark on Tweed Castle, Medieval fortress in Carham, England
Wark on Tweed Castle is a fortified ruin sitting on a raised earthwork mound with a stone keep tower at its heart. The site features surrounding defensive banks and ditches that outline the original settlement pattern from medieval times.
The fortress was built around 1136 as a Norman stronghold guarding the border region between England and Scotland. It was damaged and rebuilt multiple times during border conflicts that lasted through the medieval period.
The castle grounds witnessed the founding moment of the Order of the Garter in 1349 when King Edward III assisted the Countess of Salisbury.
The site is open to visitors via public footpaths and free to explore at your own pace without restrictions. Information boards scattered around the grounds explain the layout and how the defenses worked.
The keep features an unusual octagonal shape from the 13th century that was specifically designed to mount cannons on its vaulted floors. This innovative layout made it one of the earliest castles adapted for artillery defense.
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