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Wakefield Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Wakefield Castle

Wakefield Castle (Lowe Hill, Lawe Hill) is the earthwork remains of a 12th‑century motte-and-bailey castle on a raised mound north of the River Calder in Thornes Park, Wakefield. Today the site survives as a grass‑covered motte with two baileys and traces of a surrounding ditch.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1140

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1140

What Wakefield Castle looked like in its prime.

A conical earthen motte about nine metres high and roughly 25 metres across stands on a small wooded hill, its summit flattened into a circular platform. The motte is enclosed by an inner bailey forming a rough square around forty metres across and a smaller outer bailey to the north‑east; banks and counterscarps of packed earth define the enclosures while the surrounding defensive ditch has been filled in. The site sits above flat, formerly marshy ground and is ringed by trees.

Its story

The story of Wakefield Castle.

Wakefield Castle, Lowe Hill or Lawe Hill, from the Anglo-Saxon hlaew, a mound or cairn, was probably begun by William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey, during the Anarchy, the civil war between Stephen and Matilda. The mound a quarter mile north of the River Calder, separated from the town by flat swampy land, made a good site for an earthwork motte and bailey.

In 1318 Wakefield Castle and neighbouring Sandal Castle were granted to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and in 1324 King Edward II committed them to the care of Richard Moseley. The grass-covered motte with its two baileys and traces of ditch survives in Thornes Park; English Heritage granted permission for a geophysical and topographical survey of the site in 2015–16.

Step inside

10 places to explore in 1140.

The record describes 10 distinct spots at Wakefield 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.

Approach from Thornes Park (base of hill)Base of the motteSummit of the motte (platform)Inner bailey enclosureOuter bailey (north‑east)Filled ditch line and counterscarpVantage toward the River CalderSite of later archaeological excavation (on motte/bailey)Tree‑lined scarp and slopesSummit spot later used for beacon

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1140, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Wakefield Castle.

The families that held Wakefield Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Warenne

    Probably built by William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey, during the Anarchy (1135–54).

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Wakefield Castle.

Emley Moor transmitting station, EnglandTowerEmley Moor transmitting station12 km awayElland Road, EnglandStadiumElland Road12 km awayHeadingley Cricket Ground, EnglandStadiumHeadingley Cricket Ground17 km away

Questions about Wakefield Castle

What is the history of Wakefield Castle?

Wakefield Castle dates from the 12th century and was probably begun during the Anarchy, the civil war between Stephen and Matilda. William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey, probably started the earthwork motte-and-bailey castle. It was granted to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in 1318, and placed in Richard Moseley’s care by Edward II in 1324.

Why was Wakefield Castle built, and what was it used for?

Wakefield Castle was built as a fortification during the Anarchy, using a raised mound north of the River Calder and flat, swampy ground between the site and Wakefield. Its earthwork motte-and-bailey layout provided a defensible position. Excavations indicated that it was probably an adulterine castle, built without permission, and abandoned unfinished.

Where is Wakefield Castle?

Wakefield Castle is in Thornes Park, Wakefield, on the north side of the River Calder. The remains stand on a raised mound north of the river, overlooking it from the centre of Wakefield. The site is separated from the town by formerly flat, swampy ground.

When was Wakefield Castle built?

Wakefield Castle was built in the 12th century. The site's first-raised year is not recorded, although 1140 is given as its prime year. It was probably begun during the Anarchy, the civil war between Stephen and Matilda.

What did Wakefield Castle look like in its prime?

Wakefield Castle was an earthwork motte-and-bailey castle with a conical earthen motte about nine metres high and roughly 25 metres across. Its flattened summit formed a circular platform, enclosed by an inner bailey around forty metres across and a smaller outer bailey to the north-east. Packed-earth banks and counterscarps surrounded the enclosures, with a ditch around them.

Is Wakefield Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Wakefield Castle survives as partial ruins: a grass-covered motte, two baileys and traces of a surrounding ditch. The motte is about nine metres high, while the ditch has been filled in. Little disturbance has occurred since excavations in 1953, and the site remains an earthwork rather than a restored standing castle.

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