Monument record 249/1 - Berry Close Hill

An oval medieval ringwork with a surrounding ditch, measuring 70 metres overall across the major north east to south west axis and 50 metres transversely, attaining a maximum height of 3 metres. The ditch has a maximum depth of 2 metres in the north quadrant but is reduced to 0.5 metres on the south. There is a causewayed entrance to the south-east. Scheduled

{1} Earthwork;? Medieval; circular ringwork; no visible outer bailey; outer ditch up to 1.75m deep below ground surface; 3.5m below inner ramparts; flat topped mound bounded except to west by inner bank up to 0.5m high; in south east corner C19th garden has destroyed ditch & ramparts; no other internal features; possibly held as part of manor of Brime by Ghilo with Sulgrave & Weedon Lois; both have ringworks similar to Culworth; plans; field name: Berry Hill

{2} Field names: Berry Hill and Bury Close.

{4} The entrenchments of Culworth Castle consist of one ditch with an inner rampart. The enclosure is in a fair state of preservation except that a portion in the SE has been destroyed at some date to extend the rectory garden.

{8} In a close north of the churchyard is a circular hill surrounded by a deep ditch called Berry-Mount-Hill, probably the site of a castle erected by one of the feudal lords.

{10} The castle ringwork at Culworth is situated at Berry Hill. It is located at the south eastern end of the village and lies immediately to the north of St Mary's church, which has Norman origins. The ringwork has a roughly circular bank about 3m high which encloses a central area about 25m across. The interior of the ringwork is slightly raised above the surrounding ground level and has some irregularities suggesting the presence of buried structures. On the western side, the ringwork bank is lower which may indicate the entrance to the interior. The ringwork is encompassed by a ditch 2m deep and up to 6m wide. The ditch has been altered in the south east corner by work on the Old Rectory garden in the last century and the churchyard has cut into the western ditch. On the northern side of the ringwork there are traces of a slight outer bank. It is recorded in Domesday that this area was held by Landric of Ghilo. It is known too that he held part of Sulgrave, and that Sulgrave was associated with Weedon Lois. Ringworks are preserved at all three sites.

{17} An oval medieval ringwork with surrounding ditch, measuring 70.0m overall across the major NE-SW axis and 50.0m transversely and attaining a maximum height of 3.0m. The ditch has a maximum depth of 2.0m in the north quadrant but is reduced to 0.5m on the south; there is causewayed entrance to the south-east. No evidence of former structures within the enclosed area.
Surveyed at 1:2500 on AM.

{19} Seven photos, one dated 1994;

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.39/Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> 1839, Culworth Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN9509.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.607 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.404 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100369.

<5> 1975, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN57274.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP54NW10 (part checked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Parish Files (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<8> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.607 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<9> SUPPLEMENTARY FILE, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN52261.

<10> English Heritage, 1992, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, (part checked) (Report). SNN47128.

<11> Sharman T., 2006, Condition Report on Twenty-Four Northamptonshire County Heritage Sites, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105591.

<12> Bailey, S., Photos of Culworth, (checked) (Photographic prints (B&W)). SNN108993.

<13> Kenyon J.R., 2008, Castles, Town Defences and Artillery Fortifications in the United Kingdom and Ireland: A Bibliography 1945 - 2006, (unchecked) (Bibliography). SNN106309.

<14> Lanning K.; Pearson V.; Walker D., 1995, Castles in Northamptonshire: A Resource Pack for Teachers, (unchecked) (Educational Resource Pack). SNN75536.

<15> Petrie, J, 2019, Mottes and 'Ringworks', Wednesday 10th April 2019 (Gazetteer). SNN111445.

<16> Aerial Photograph, Air Photograph (CUCAP, ABW93) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<17> Colquhoun, FD, 1977, Field Investigators Comments, F1 FDC 12-MAY-77 (Notes). SNN114135.

<18> Historic England, Undated, Berry Close Hill (Photograph) (Archive). SNN115739.

<19> Photographs of buildings in Culworth (Photographs). SNN111617.

Record last edited

May 21 2025 12:34PM