Peveril Castle, Derbyshire

Situated at the heart of the Peak District the ruins of Peveril Castle can be found at the centre of a triangle made up of Stockport to the west, Sheffield to the east and Buxton to the south. Today the ruins are a popular destination for hikers, historically though Peveril Castle was an important stronghold.

Peveril Castle is one of the oldest examples of castles still in existence today. The first parts of the castle were constructed shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066 by William Peveril, or Peverel. William was given the title of Bailiff of the Royal manors of the Peak, and was certainly one of William the Conquerors most trusted knights, and also possibly his illegitimate son. The first buildings on the site were wooden, but by 1090 a large portion of the castle was stone. Strategically placed the castle would offer protection to silver and lead mines in the vicinity, and would also be a deterrent to any Scottish attempts to expand from the Cumbrian land that they held at the time.

Peveril Castle Keep - simon gray - CC-BY-SA-2.0

The castle passed into the hands of William Peveril the Younger in 1114 upon his father’s death, although the son would spend more time in improving Bolsover Castle than Peveril Castle. In 1155 though the castle was given over to the crown. Henry II confiscated the castle and surrounding lands shortly before Peveril’s death, Peveril having been implicated in the poisoning of the Earl of Chester.
Henry II improved the castle, and was paid homage by Malcolm IV of Scotland there. Henry II would visit the castle on at least three occasions during his reign. During the Baron’s revolt of King John’s reign the castle would see some action and was forcible taken by the King’s forces, although little details of actual events are known. The castle would remain property of the monarchs of England and their families through to the reign of Henry IV, although by the start of the fifteenth century the castle was left to fall into decay. Used occasionally as a courthouse and a farm outbuilding, the ruins as seen today are due to neglect and not because of any action during either the War of the Roses or English Civil War.

Peveril Castle and Peak District - George Griffin - CC-BY-SA-2.0

The remnants though of Peveril Castle though have been preserved through the efforts of English Heritage who took over ownership of the castle in 1932.

Those wishing to visit the ruins of Peveril Castle today will need to pay a small admission charge to English Heritage, details of which can be found on the English Heritage website.

Access comes after a walk up the steep hill above the village of Castleton, the castle sitting some 200 feet above the village. Entrance is via a twelfth century gate house, and it and its adjoining curtain walls have weather well, as has the small stone keep built at a similar time. Other buildings within the castle walls have faired less well, but the foundations of the Great Hall and kitchens can be clearly seen.

Model of how Peveril Castle once looked - simon gray - CC-BY-SA-2.0

From the remains of Peveril Castle spectacular views across the Peak District can be obtained, with Hope Valley, Cave Dale, Mam Tor and Hollins Cross clearly visible.

A trip to Peveril Castle is well worth it, even if it is just for the views that can be had. The castle though is also a fine example, and for something that is almost a thousand years old, it is relatively fine upkeep.

Copyright - First Published 20th October 2010