Mitford Castle, Remains Of Inner Ward And Keep

Mitford Castle consists of the remains of an inner ward and keep, dating from the late 11th century. It was originally an earthwork fortress built by the Bertram family. The curtain wall of the inner ward was constructed in the early 12th century, while the outer ward and chapel were added in the late 12th century, and the keep was built in the early 13th century. The structure features squared stone, with some areas of ashlar quality. The castle is situated on a natural hill that has been scarped and ditched, creating a motte that supports an irregular oval inner ward containing a pentagonal keep. To the south and east lies a triangular outer ward, and to the north-east is a barmkin.

The inner ward features a tall curtain wall on a stepped plinth, with remains visible on the west side, including a large round arch that may have led to a balcony. A section of the wall on the east side, which has a round arch leading to the outer ward, is largely a 19th-century reconstruction. The keep stands up to the first floor, but its external facing has been completely robbed. The basement is divided by an axial cross wall into two barrel-vaulted chambers, which have an impost band at the spring of the vault and internal stone spouts that likely brought in rainwater, indicating that these chambers were probably intended as cisterns. There is also a segmental-arched doorway leading to a mural stair. The first floor features a chamfered plinth and is accessed via a lobby from an external stair. To the west of the keep are the footings of a possibly earlier 'blockhouse' with splayed arrow loops.

Historically, Mitford Castle was referred to as the "oppidum" of William Bertram in 1138. It was seized by Flemish troops loyal to King John in 1215. In 1315, it became known for kidnappings and the ransom of prisoners by Sir Gilbert de Middleton. By 1327, it was described as "wholly burned," and it remains uncertain whether it was ever restored.