Barwick in Elmet large univallate hillfort and motte and bailey castle

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

History & significance

Barwick in Elmet is a large univallate hillfort situated in Yorkshire, England, whose origins lie in the Iron Age. The monument comprises a substantial earthwork enclosure defined by a single defensive bank and ditch, demonstrating the characteristic form of later prehistoric fortified settlements in northern Britain. The site was subsequently reoccupied during the medieval period, when a motte and bailey castle was constructed within or overlying the earlier hillfort, indicating continuity of settlement at this strategically important location. The palimpsest of fortifications spanning from the Iron Age through the medieval period reflects the enduring significance of Barwick as a defended centre across more than two millennia of occupation.

Barwick in Elmet large univallate hillfort and motte and bailey castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1010924. View the official record →

Questions & answers

Other scheduled monuments within 10 km

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.