17th century Civil War earthwork fortification. The see fell vacant in 1643 upon the death of Bishop Parr, and the site was occupied until 1651 by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby and Lord of Man.


The earl constructed a sub-rectangular earthen fort around the house, consisting of a rampart and ditch with a bastion at each corner. The fort is slightly assymmetrical, with maximum dimensions of 160m.


The fort still survives in a substantially intact condition on the north-east and north-west sides, but is less obvious to the south where the creation of a road and landscaping within the gardens have masked the earthworks.