Kirkoswald Castle

Kirkoswald Castle stands in farmland south-east of Kirkoswald village in Cumbria. Built from Penrith red sandstone, its remains include a tower and fragments of the original manor house. A moat once surrounded the site, added in the 15th century when the castle was expanded. In 1314 Scottish forces destroyed the castle, but it was rebuilt three years later. After Thomas Dacre’s death in 1525, many of its finest features were moved to Naworth Castle. The castle received a royal licence to crenellate in 1201 under King John. By the 17th century it had been dismantled, yet parts survived long enough to be recorded in 1967. The ruins and moat are now protected as a Scheduled Monument and Grade II listed building. A public footpath runs alongside, allowing visitors to see the remains when the gate is open. The site offers views over the surrounding countryside. Visitors can walk the footpath to view the tower and moat from close range. The ruins stand quietly in the fields, a reminder of the castle’s turbulent past. The moat still holds water in places, marking the outline of the old defences. The tower is the most visible remnant, rising above the farmland.