Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Also known as:
Almondbury Hill Fort
Nearest town:
Huddersfield (3km NNW)
OS reference:
SE152140
OS sheet:
110
Latitude:
53° 37' 19.17 N
Longitude:
1° 46' 12.61 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The Council has spent big to make the paths around the site accessible and generally tidying up the mess left from the pub’s demolition. It’s nice to see patches of vegetation left to do its thing on the flanks, as it could have become overly-manicured.

Image credit: A. Brookes (29.7.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Oct 30, 2024
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Landscape context for the prominent hill viewed from Farnley Bank to the east.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2018)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 12, 2018
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Victoria Tower and the northwestern ramparts, looking southwest.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2018)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 12, 2018
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Looking down on the outer rampart from the inner on the southeast side of the fort.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2018)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 12, 2018
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Standing on the outer southeastern rampart with the inner rampart rising on the right.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2018)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 12, 2018
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by juamei

Image Credit: Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015.

Image credit: Open Source Environment Agency LIDAR
juamei
juamei Mar 25, 2018
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by Kozmik_Ken

Evening light on Castle Hill. From the nearby fields to the south west.

Image credit: Andy H
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken May 12, 2009
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by Kozmik_Ken

Low sunlight strikes Victoria Tower and the earthworks at Castle Hill.

Image credit: Andy H
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken May 12, 2009
Image of Castle Hill (Huddersfield) (Hillfort) by Kozmik_Ken

Castle Hill from the North (Beaumont Park) dominating the surrounding landscape. Notice now that the pub has gone.

Image credit: Andy H
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Mar 1, 2006

Articles

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Work on Castle Hill starting soon!

moss
moss Mar 28, 2008

Up date....

ESSENTIAL improvement works on Castle Hill will start within days.

Contractors will be on the hill – a protected Ancient Monument – to begin improvements to footpaths and to create a wheelchair-accessible pathway.

But there are no plans yet to replace the former pub, the centre of a controversial planning saga for the past five years.

To minimise disruption to visitors the work will be done in two successive phases, each lasting about six weeks.

Kirklees Council officials have promised to work closely with conservationists and archaeologists to protect the history of the landmark site.

The new footpaths will generally be constructed in the same position as the old ones, with some modifications to reflect existing desired footpath lines and passing places.

A new level pathway route around the perimeter of the site will improve access for disabled visitors, as well as for families with pushchairs and people who experience mobility problems.

It will be reached from the existing car park on top of the hill and will have passing points at regular intervals.

The footpaths and pathway will be constructed using low-maintenance and environmentally friendly materials that have been tested in a trial section of footpath laid on the hill last summer.

Special techniques will be used to minimise disturbance to the underground archaeology.

The work, which will also include repairs to eroded areas, will be done in two sections.

While one section is under construction the second will be accessible to the public. Section 2 will start as soon as section 1 is finished.

Seats and viewing platforms will be installed to enhance visitors’ enjoyment of the spectacular views.

The work is part of a programme of improvements outlined in the Castle Hill Conservation Management Plan.

This was approved by Kirklees Council in 2006 following discussions with English Heritage and a range of local interest groups and people living nearby who continue to meet regularly as part of the Castle Hill Management Advisory Group.

Clr Elizabeth Smaje, the Kirklees Cabinet member for Leisure and Neighbourhood Services, said: “’Renewal of the footpaths and repairs to eroded areas are starting points for improving Castle Hill.

“This work will help to preserve this important site and enhance the experience for visitors to the site.”

Later plans also include the installation of a bridge – subject to planning permission – leading up to the Victoria Tower. That work is expected to start in the winter.

The changes at Castle Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort, have been given Scheduled Monuments Consent authorisation by the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

Archaeologists will have a watching brief for the work and any finds will be immediately recorded and then taken to the Tolson Museum at Moldgreen for investigation.

examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/03/27/work-on-castle-hill-starting-soon-86081-20680414/

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Blueprint aims to protect future of Iron Age hill fort

daveyravey
daveyravey Mar 29, 2006

From an article by Joanne Ginley in Yorkshire Post Today:

A conservation blueprint to safeguard the future of Huddersfield’s historic Castle Hill site, regarded as one of Yorkshire’s most important early Iron Age hill forts, is set to be approved.
Castle Hill, which can be seen for miles around, is a scheduled ancient monument and has been settled for at least 4,000 years. Experts regard it as one of West Yorkshire’s most significant archaeological sites.

The site, at Almondbury, was recently mired in controversy after a developer part-built a hotel which did not match plans approved by Kirklees Council.

The council took the developer to court and the hotel has since been demolished.

Now a draft conservation management plan has been produced by Leeds-based consultancy Atkins Heritage, which councillors are set to back tomorrow. If approved by a Kirklees Council cabinet committee it will eventually guide the future use and development of the site and ensure that guidelines are in place to shape its conservation and any new development.

Councillors will also be asked to back measures to address decay. These include resurfacing the car park, new off-site parking, improving footpaths, repairing erosion and damaged areas and creating a picnic area.

If members back the measures, council officers will draw up detailed proposals and costings.
It is proposed that the work would take place over the next two years.

Read the full article at...

yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1084&ArticleID=1325386

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Debate on future of Castle Hill

Rhiannon
Rhiannon May 21, 2005

People in Huddersfield are being asked whether a pub should remain on Castle Hill – there has been one for nearly two centuries, but a recent unapproved addition to the building there led to it being demolished.

Kirklees Council deputy leader Clr John Smithson said: “I promised back in November 2004 that there would be public consultation once the structure was demolished. I am very pleased that this will now include a comprehensive conservation plan as required by the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

English Heritage will be involved as the land is a nationally-important archaeological site and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Issues under review will include: access, car parking, visitor facilities, use of Victoria Tower, the condition and erosion of the earthworks.

Summarised from icHuddersfield

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Sep 8, 2003

I grew up in sight of this old hillfort from my bedroom window in Crosland Moor.

The history of the site is that it was first occupied during the Bronze Age. It later became an Iron Age Hillfort when much of the earthworks were dug out. The site was suddenly abandoned after an explosion caused by internal combustion in one of the walls, about 400BC . Excavations found vitrification amongst the stonework in part of the walls (this could be the source of the local legend about it being a worm’s lair).

The hill laid abandoned until after the Norman invasion (despite popular belief that the Romans occupied the hill. No evidence has been found to support this) when the De Lacy family built a castle and re-dug and extended the earthworks. It is reported that the castle was still fairly intact (although ruinous) in the 16th Century, but the site was used as a quarry until no stonework remains above ground.

The pub was built in 1812 and it is said that a tunnel was found that led down into the hill. Alas, no one was brave enough to explore it and it was sealed up when the pub was built on top of it. There are a number of local legends about tunnels leading out from the hill. The pub used to be good for lock-ins, and a few of us used to see in the solstice sunrise up there in the 1980’s... but it’s been taken over by a chain now and tries to attract the carvery crowd. You even get your beer on a ****ing serviette!!!

The tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee.

Andy H

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

daveyravey
daveyravey Jul 16, 2003

Visited again 15th July 2003
A three stage enclosure, from the entrance at the North each area is protected by a ditch and gets a little bit higher. There are two embankments with a ditch, not to mention the naturally steep slopes up to the top. There are plenty of earthworks within the enclosures depicting the layout. There is a well, I asume it is ancient as it is more like a cavern downwards.
The hotel and pub is now closed and the place has become a haven for children and strong cider. Take a Biffa lorry if youhope to have any impact on the litter situation.

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

daveyravey
daveyravey Jul 4, 2003

Visited many times as I live nearby. It is a long walk up steep hills from Huddersfield (as indeed is any walk of any distance from Huddersfield!). Dramatic earthworks are in evidence, you wouldn’t want to be attacking it, that’s for sure, and great views of the Peaks and the town are to be had. . The tower on top is a memorial erected in the tradition of Queen Victoria, it is not of any great age. You can drive and park right on the very top as there is a hotel. Take yer kite, take yer picnic and enjoy.

Folklore

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)
Hillfort
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken Jun 7, 2004

There is much history and folklore attached to this hill.

Queen Cartimandua of the Briganitines is said to have used the hill as her stronghold during the Brigantine Civil War against her ex-husband Venutius.

Cartimandua was a client ruler of the Romans. When she handed the fugitive Caratacus over to Rome, Venutius divorced her. She took his brothers and kinfolk captive, which led to civil war between 55 – 71 AD.

However, no archaeological evidence has been found of this and as the fort was abandoned around 400 BC, it seems unlikely.

The Norman castle built on the hill during the 12th century probably wiped away any archaeological traces, if Cartimandua’s camp had been there.

The Roman name for the hill was Camulodunum (not to be confused with Colchester), which has lead to suspicions that Castle Hill was Arthur’s Camelot. There certainly was a 5th century King of the Pennines called Arthius, but no proof that he inhabited Castle Hill has been found.

Other folklore is that tunnels lead from the hill, one to the Deadmanstone at Berry Brow, and another to Almondbury.

The Devil is said to have leaped to Castle Hill from Netherton Scar (where he left his footprint), some eight miles away. This may be a memory of the fire at the hillfort which lead to it’s abandonment.

The hill is also said to be the lair of a dragon which guards a golden cradle.

Miscellaneous

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)
Hillfort
B
BrigantesNation Aug 22, 2003

In 2001 the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service did extensive geophysics of the site to see what evidence of archaeology remained in the interior of the hillfort, they comcluded:

“Much of the inner ward has been subject to varying degrees of landscaping or other forms of ground disturbance in the recent past. It seems unlikely that there any surviving archaeological remains in this part of the site. ”

Miscellaneous

Castle Hill (Huddersfield)
Hillfort
B
BrigantesNation Aug 22, 2003

Few hill forts of central Britain can rival Almondbury. It must have been a significant regional capital in it’s day, commanding views for miles around, clearly showing where the boss lives.

Almondbury is one of Englands few vitrified hill forts, the suggestion that it was a result of spontaneous combustion makes it unique – only one other fort in France has had the same claim.

Topics

TMA Eds 2
Kozmik_Ken
Kozmik_Ken
Feb 2004

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