Protection plan for castle’s remains
Ancient monument has been damaged by vehicles
A fascinating but little-known monument, which shares the name of one of the country’s biggest council estates, stands to get extra protection as the result of a scheme to alleviate flooding.
One of the few features in an otherwise flat landscape is a mound, the site of what is thought to be a castle from 1200.
A FASCINATING but little-known monument, which shares the name of one of the country’s biggest council estates, stands to get extra protection as the result of a scheme to alleviate flooding.
One of the few features in an otherwise flat landscape near the Bransholme estate, Hull, is a 150m long and 5m high mound, the site of what is thought to be a castle, completed by Sir John Sayer of Sutton by 1200.
Cyclists who whizz by on the Hornsea Rail Trail, a disused railway line connecting Hull to the seaside, may only give Castle Hill a passing glance.
But in future they could take a loop round the mound, as a result of new pathways which will be put in as part of the Environment Agency scheme.
The early Norman defensive structure is thought to contain the remains of an Elizabethan hall, but as well as being popular with dogwalkers, it attracts offroad bikes and 4x4 vehicles, which have carved ruts into its banks.
There has also been problems with illegal digging for artefacts – or nighthawking – both on the remains of the motte and bailey castle and on a Bronze Age mound (750BC) nearby – both scheduled ancient monuments and considered nationally important archaeological sites.
The main purpose of the scheme, which is the next phase of the £28.5m Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme, is to take pressure off the existing drainage system after the area almost flooded in 2019.
It should “significantly” cut the risk of flooding to homes nearby.
Plans, which have been submitted to Hull and East Riding Councils, involve digging a meandering watercourse, to the west of the Sutton Cross drain.
In the surrounding area woodland will be planted to form an “aquagreen”, that will slow the flow of surface water during heavy rainfall, but also provide valuable new habitat.
The Environment Agency will also be installing interpretation
boards and paths in a bid to open up the area, to cyclists, horseriders and other while putting up barriers to keep out the motorbikes.
Matt Chapman, from the Environment Agency, said the agency hopes to get more people to use the area and interested in its fascinating history. He said: “The more eyes and ears we have about the site the better.
“There’s very limited public access, partly through the lack of formalised paths and as part of this we will be establishing a network of permissive paths.”
The site has been plagued by vehicles and last time he visited a big divot had been taken out of the mound by the sump guard of a 4X4.
He said: “It has got a lot worse in the past year. Anti-social behaviour and illegal activity are
having a massive effect on the monument.”
Bransholme derives from the early medieval “Brand’s Water Meadow” and until better drainage in the 18th and early 19th centuries, the castle, on one end of a low ridge, would have been
like an island at times. “It was a silty marshland,” says archaeologist Jennifer Morrison. “The land is known to have periodically flooded from the Humber estuary. It used to flood frequently after storms. Flooding isn’t a new thing.”
In fact, she says, what the Environment Agency is doing could be seen as a continuation of what was started by the medieval monks who built land drains, some of which survive till today.
External funding for a community project is being sought, based on the rich local archaeology. Residents are asked to come up with suggestions
Ms Morrison said: “What we are hoping through the community project and by raising awareness of the monument is that people will take an interest and in a way they might become guardians of the site in future, keeping an eye on it, discouraging people from doing damage to it and having pride that they have something so important nearby.
“Having a prehistoric barrow and a medieval castle on your doorstep is quite unusual.”
Having a castle on your doorstep is quite unusual. Archaeologist Jennifer Morrison.