Alton Castle is a 12th century stone enclosure fortress, founded by Bertram de Verdon. It was substantially reconstructed during the 15th century and is still isolated by the remains of the medieval curtain wall, with its great rock-cut ditch. A tall rectangular tower, with a chamfered plinth and crossloops flanks the wall and ditch, with the remains of a twin-towered gatehouse or postern, still showing its portcullis slot to the west. After Civil War slighting, the remains were given a Gothic reconstruction by Pugin, in 1847. 8 miles east is Stydd Hall and 13 miles south-west is Chartley Castle.