Scargill

Scargill
Yorkshire North Riding
Scargill Castle
Location
Grid reference:	NZ050106
Location:	54°29’29"N, 1°55’22"W
Data
Post town:	Barnard Castle
Postcode:	DL12 9
Local Government
Council:	Durham

Scargill is a hamlet in the North Riding of Yorkshire, in the Greta Valley amongst the Pennines. The population taken at the 2011 Census was less than 100, so details are recorded with those of the parish of Barningham.

The name 'Scargill' derives from the Old Norse and means simply the gill (small valley) of Skarri (a male personal name). Scargill is a dispersed settlement consisting of a number of farms scattered over a wide area. The centre of the village in mediæval times was located around Castle farm, where the remains of Scargill Castle can still be seen. The castle is more accurately described as a fortified manor house and was occupied from at least the late 12th century. Only small fragments of the walls of this early building remain surrounded by extensive earthworks, all of which are scheduled as an ancient monument. The castle was rebuilt in the early 16th century and the gatehouse of this building still stands (Grade II* listed). After being on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk register for several years the gatehouse was restored between 1999 and 2001. It has recently been further improved and is now available as a holiday let.

In 2008 Channel 4's Time Team investigated the restored remains of Scargill Castle, discovered a variety of mediæval and Tudor buildings. The programme of the dig was first broadcast on 11 January 2009.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Scargill)

• Scargill.org: The History of Scargill
• Scargill Castle
• Blog on the restoration of Scargill Castle
• The Gatehouse: Scargill Castle, Barningham

References

• Keys to the Past: Local History - Scargill (County Durham)
• 'To Caroline on our wedding day, a lovely medieval ruin': The Telegraph, 9 February 2001