More information : [SK 0434 1288] 'Foundations of building' are shown on the plan of Castle Ring Camp [SK 01 SW 1] (1).
They can be associated with those mentioned by Cockin (2) which have been variously described as the remains of a hunting lodge or the site of the Castle of Beaudesert. Molyneux (3) refers to remains of a medieval structure which he excavated within Castle Ring. Report forthcoming.
On a rectangular platform made in the gentle eastern slope of this part of the plateau-fort (I.A.) are the stone footings 1.5 m. thick, of a substantial building. Its ground-plan is that of a probable 12/13th century hall, orientated north to south, with a screen-passage near the south end. Surveyed at 1/2500. (4)
No change. Surveyed at 1:2500 at SK 0434 1290. (5)
The foundations of the Medieval lodge, centred at SK 0435 1290,within Castle Ring Hillfort (SK 01 SW 1) were surveyed at 1:200 by RCHME in 1988. The stone foundations measure 20.6m by 11.5m externally. The outer edge of the building is defined by a scarp that represents the base of an excavation trench and in places by a chamfered stone plinth. The building comprises two (or possibly three) cells separated by a narrow passage way. The southernmost cell measuring 3.1m north-south and 8.2m transversely is the smaller of the two, and is clearly defined by a combination of insitu stones and low scarps. The position of a former doorway in the north wall of the cell is discernable, and at the east end of the passage way is a carefully worked door jam. The northernmost cell is considerably larger, measuring 11m north-south and 8.2m transversely. It is also defined by a small scarp and, in places, by insitu stones. Along the central axis of the room are three sub-rectangular depressions, the middle one of which contains a chamfered sandstone pillar base. There is considerable disturbance around the exterior of the building due largely to previous excavation of the foundations; however it is possible that the disturbance is partly indicative of further building remains. A resistivity survey of the area carried out in 1987 (6a) failed to provide any further detail on the building. Full survey information, including a detailed report, is available in the NMR Archive. (6)
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