Kilton Castle

Kilton Castle is a ruined castle overlooking the valley of Kilton Beck, near to the village of Kilton in the historic county of the North Riding of Yorkshire (now Redcar and Cleveland) in England. The castle was built in the 12th century and was described as being in a ruinous state by the 14th century, with it being totally abandoned by the 16th century. Kilton Castle was owned by several noble families who hailed from the area; de Brus, de Kilton, Autrey, de Thweng, de Lumley. The setting of the castle on a promontory above the valley meant that it had slopes leading up to three sides and a fourth side (to the west) had a narrow entrance into the valley wall. Due to its commanding position and man-made and natural defences, it has been labelled the "most powerful baronial fortress in Cleveland." Its rebuilding in stone in the late 12th century was accomplished without need of a keep, which has led to it being known as the first castle in the north of England to be keepless.