Buckton Castle book cover

Buckton Castle, which overlooks Stalybridge, was built in the 12^th Century by the Earls of Chester to consolidate their lands and protect them from the threat of incursion by the Scots. It was occupied for around a hundred years, but until now little has been known of it.

However, as a result of the excavations, Dr Nevell and his team from the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University have been able to catalogue finds and structures from a century of use and, owing to rumours of buried valuables, the later depredations of treasure hunters.

The book also charts the involvement of local people who helped out on special community archaeology days between 2007 and 2010.

Dr Nevell said: “We’ve been able to find out a lot more than has ever been known before about Buckton Castle and have confirmed that it is one of the earliest stone castles in the North West.

“The book is a thorough account of 15 years of study, excavation and research and we hope that it will help people in the area find out a lot more about this important local landmark.”

Dr Nevell will be talking about the book Buckton Castle and the Castles of the North West as part of the Greater Manchester Archaeology Day event on Saturday 24 November at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester. The book costs £10 and tickets for the event are £10.

Details of how to register for this event and how to order the book are available by calling 0161 295 2920 or emailing d.atkin@salford.ac.uk

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