The Barnewall family called this fortification home from the 13th century through to the early 1600s, transforming it over the centuries from a defensive stronghold into a more comfortable residence. The castle’s rectangular moat, measuring 61 metres long by 45 metres wide, can still be crossed via a stone bridge built in 1780 on the eastern side.

The heart of the complex is a three-storey gate tower featuring a curved archway that would have controlled access to the inner courtyard. A projecting stair turret on the south side, illuminated by narrow defensive loops and topped with a flattened arch entrance, hints at the castle’s military past. This gate tower connects directly to the southern end of what was once a great hall, dating from between the 14th and 16th centuries. Built over a vaulted basement, this two-storey structure was accessed from the courtyard by an external staircase, though later modifications have altered much of its original character. The northern wing, likely added in the 17th century, rises to two storeys, whilst an isolated tower in the northeast corner may represent some of the castle’s earliest defences.

Archaeological work in the early 1990s has helped piece together the castle’s medieval history. Excavations conducted in 1992 and 1993 within the moated area revealed a stone-filled pit containing pottery fragments dating from the 13th to 15th centuries, along with a drilled roof slate. These finds offer tangible connections to the daily life of the castle’s medieval inhabitants, complementing the impressive stone structures that have survived above ground. Today, this remarkably intact example of Anglo-Norman castle architecture continues to tell its story, from its origins as a symbol of conquest and control to its later evolution as a country manor house.