Lost Liverpool castle now found 30 miles away from the city

Liverpool: A castle that was once a key part of the city’s history has been found more than 30 miles away. This castle, which stood in the city center hundreds of years ago, was located at the bottom of Castle Street. Today, that area is home to Derby Square and the Liverpool Crown Court.

Built around 1235, or maybe even as early as 1208, Liverpool Castle was quite the sight. It had a hall, a chapel, a brewhouse, a bakehouse, and even a moat! It was perched on a plateau, giving it a great view of “the Pool” and protecting the new port on Lord Street.

In 1643, the Parliamentarians took control of the city, which was a vital supply route to Ireland. The Royalists regained the fortress in 1644, but after their defeat, Parliament ordered the castle’s demolition. By 1726, the last of its ruins were gone, with bricks repurposed for other buildings.

After the castle, a church took its place, but that was demolished in the late 19th century to make way for the Victoria Monument. Even though the original castle is long gone, its spirit lives on. You can find a scale replica in Lever Park, Rivington, near Chorley. This replica was commissioned by soap tycoon William Lever, but it was never completed.

Images from our sister publications give a peek into what the site looks like today. It’s a fascinating piece of history that many might not know about. If you have any memories or thoughts about this, feel free to share in the comments!