Stanhope Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Castle Heugh; Castle Hill

In the civil parish of Stanhope.
In the historic county of Durham; County Palatinate of (Modern Authority of Durham, 1974 county of County Durham).

C18 mansion, built on the possible site of a motte and bailey castle, of which no remains are now visible. A fragment of the motte may have survived until c1900 and is shown in a photograph of c.1906. However, Hutchinson writing in 1794 reported the following: "At the west end of Stanhope town, lying between it and the River Wear, is an eminence called Castle Hill or Castle Heugh. The crown of the hill forms an oblong figure 30 paces in width. To the north and east it is defended by a deep ditch. A ditch crosses the crown of the eminence and divides it into unequal parts. A wall was discovered, which appeared to defend the whole summit of the hill, built of ashlar work, strongly cemented. It is certain that a castle stood here in the days of Bishop Bek, for he granted lands on the west side of the castle of Stanhope"

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle
Masonry Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Nothing visible remains.

This site is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law*. (Images of England number 406916)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is NY99603916

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 17909

County Sites and Monuments Record number; D2326

Web site links
- http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=D2326
Books
- Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles and Tower Houses of County Durham (Malvern) p57
  Jackson, M.J., 1996, Castles of Durham and Cleveland (Carlise) p62, 64
  Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge) p33 [slight]
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p138
  Whellan, F., 1894 (2edn), History, Topography and Directory of the County of Durham p414
  Boyle, J.R., 1892, Comprehensive Guide to the County of Durham (Newcastle) p520
  Brayley, E. and Britton, J., 1803, Beauties of England and Wales; Durham Vol5 p214
  Hutchinson, Wm, 1785-94, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Vol3 (Durham) p291, 351-2
Journal Articles
- 1914, Publications of the Surtees Society Vol124 p209

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The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of English Heritage and other individuals and organisations.

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*The listed building may not be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.

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This record last updated on Friday, April 6, 2007

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