England · Ruin
Dunham Castle
Dunham Castle was an early medieval motte castle at Dunham Massey, first recorded in 1173 and still documented as standing in 1323. The earthwork motte survives as a low circular mound about 24 metres across, and its surrounding moat was later converted into an ornamental lake beside Dunham Massey Hall. The site's status is uncertain and it has been delisted as a scheduled monument.
Its prime
1323
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1323
What Dunham Castle looked like in its prime.
The site is dominated by a circular earthwork motte about 24 metres in diameter and surviving to roughly 2 metres in height, set within a broad, water-filled ditch now an ornamental lake. The island's edge is retained by a low brick revetment in the present landscape. Surrounding the water are parkland and mature trees; the later red-brick Dunham Massey Hall stands nearby on the bank. No above-ground medieval stone keep survives on the mound today.
Its story
The story of Dunham Castle.
Dunham Castle, at Dunham Massey in what is now Greater Manchester, is first referred to in 1173, in a document recording that Hamo de Masci held the castles of Dunham and Ullerwood. It has sometimes been confused with Watch Hill Castle in nearby Bowdon, but the two were separate sites, though both were probably owned by the de Masci family. The castle was still documented as standing in 1323.
The earthwork motte survives as a low circular mound about 24 metres across, and the surrounding moat was later converted into an ornamental lake beside Dunham Massey Hall. The site's status is uncertain, and it has been delisted as a scheduled monument.
Step inside
5 places to explore in 1323.
The record describes 5 distinct spots at Dunham Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
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Recreate Dunham Castle with AI to explore it.
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Clans who held Dunham Castle.
The families that held Dunham Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.
Masci
Held by the de Masci family; Hamo de Masci is recorded holding the castles of Dunham and Ullerwood in 1173.
Nearby
