Scheduled MonumentsEnglandWhittington Castle

Whittington Castle

England
List entry 1019450
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Whittington Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress located near Oswestry in Shropshire, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest. The castle comprises an earthen mound surrounded by two concentric ditches with outer baileys, representing a characteristic example of early Norman defensive architecture in the Welsh Marches. The site was strategically positioned to control the approaches to mid-Wales and served as a baronial stronghold throughout the medieval period. Though no substantial stone structures survive above ground, the earthworks remain substantially preserved and demonstrate the typical layout of Norman castles built during the period of English expansion into the borderlands.

Whittington Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1019450. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Whittington Castle?

Whittington Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress located near Oswestry in Shropshire, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1019450.

Who is responsible for protecting Whittington Castle?

Whittington Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1019450.

What other scheduled monuments are near Whittington Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wat's Dyke: 375m long section immediately south of Middleton Road and west of Laburnum Drive (3.4 km), Wat's Dyke: 365m long section, extending from 45m north east of Gate House on Shrewsbury Road (3.5 km), Motte castle at Hisland (3.7 km).

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