Castle

On high ground, utilising a natural spur or promontory, overlooking steep river gorge to N, E and S. This promontory was cut off from the ridge along the W-NW sector by a fosse (Wth 8.8m; D c. 2m). The ringwork is largely defined by a steep natural scarp, though along the NW side it is defined by an earthen bank (Wth 2.7m crest, 4.5m base; H above int. 0.56m; H above ext. 1.7-1.93m), there is a lot of shale in the bank construction. At the base of the NE slope (H 5m) there is a berm (Wth 3.6m) with a stoney bank (L 20.5m; Wth 4.64m; int. H 0.86m; ext. H 3.5m) at the edge of a further natural fall. Monument heavily overgrown with brambles, bracken and scrub around the edge and in interior (diam. 29m N-S; 37m WNW-ESE from 25-inch OS map). Ringwork is roughly triangular in plan, as depicted on 2nd (1901-05) ed. OS 6-inch map. Entrance (Wth 1.7m) in the W quadrant. Refuse has been dumped outside the NW quadrant. There appears to be a large pit in SE quadrant of the interior with mound of upcast immediately N of this. This monument is locally known as 'the old castle'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 19 December 2013

Built in the 12th or 13th century, likely by a local lord or military commander for strategic defense, the Castle, ringwork in Heathview is important as a rare example of a promontory ringwork utilizing natural topography for fortification.