All That Remains ...

This shot of the gatehouse at Whorlton Castle was taken for a recent Sunday Challenge when the theme was looking down, but not used at the time.

The ruins of Whorlton Castle, a late 11th century motte-and-bailey fortress, are located on high ground to the west of the abandoned village of Whorlton.

The castle itself seemed to quickly fall into disrepair, so much so that by 1343 it was described as being 'ruinous and without yearly value'

Today, the only significant remains are those of this 14th century gatehouse, which may have been built by Lord Philip Darcy, who died in 1419.

The rectangular structure stands partially within the ditch and its entrance passage was protected by inner and outer portcullises, which you can see in my shot.

As for the village of Whorlton, it was destroyed by the Black Death to the extent that by 1428 only ten householders remained.