Oxfordshire's Historic Archives
Preserving and Enhancing Access to Historic Oxfordshire
Records of Archaeological Work held by the Ashmolean Museum

Site Name: Swerford

Site Location: North Oxfordshire
Related Achive: Manning and Jope

E.M. Jope excavated Swerford Castle during the 1950s. The motte and bailey of the castle at Swerford stands on a hill above the River Swere and next to the parish Church. A deep ditch separates the church from the castle.

The remains consist of a circular court, 150 feet in diameter, surrounded by a ditch of 6 feet. On the north side is another mound, diameter 50 feet, and to the east are two detached raised platforms beyond which the ground falls away rapidly towards the road (the road is to the south).

In the 1970s the churchyard was extended to the north, into the castle grounds, and a few medieval pottery sherds were found. Swerford Park is to the west of the castle site.

The only reference to Swerford in Manning archive is Plot's record of Roman coins found in the Park.