Castles and Forts Peveril, or Peak Castle at Castleton is the only stone castle left in the Peak. It was built by William Peveril, a relative of William the Conqueror, in 1070/80. The keep was added about 100 years later and contains one of the oldest lavatories in the country. In its earlier history the castle was an administrative centre for the Royal Forest of the Peak. It was also used as a gaol. In the Middle Ages a man was starved here for six days and had his right hand cut off before he was released. One of his captors was a priest! Hillforts were built from prehistoric times onwards. Earthworks of banks and ditches were dug on the summits of hills, making them easy to defend. Some hillforts were occupied as safe, permanent settlements, such as Mam Tor at Castleton. This is a site of great archaeological interest, with evidence of hut platforms on the summit. Mam Tor was occupied during the Iron Age and probably built around 50 AD. Read More >> More Pictures National Picture