Clifford Castle And Barbican

Clifford Castle and barbican is a ruined castle dating from the late 13th century, with some repairs made in the 19th and 20th centuries. The structure is built of rubble with ashlar dressings, although much of the ashlar has been heavily robbed. The castle features an irregular polygonal courtyard on a motte, with a gatehouse located to the northeast that has circular towers. The hall is situated on the northwest front and has three round towers at the south and west angles.

The hall consists of two storeys and has a battered plinth topped by a rounded string course. There are remnants of a first-floor window on the eastern end of the north wall, and a stack at the eastern end includes a hearth on the ground floor. The west tower is the only surviving tower above one metre in height; it also has two storeys, a plinth similar to that of the hall, and two loop embrasures on the first floor. The curtain wall to the southeast of the tower contains three garderobes with external vents that have triangular heads. The base of the gateway shows remnants of a portcullis slot. Additionally, the ruins of the barbican, which includes two round towers standing about one metre high, are located approximately 50 metres east of the motte. The site is scheduled as an Ancient Monument.