There is evidence that Halton Hill was a settlement in prehistoric times. Construction of the castle began in 1071 after Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester gave the land to Nigel of Cotentin, who built a wooden motte and bailey castle. This was replaced by a sandstone castle in the 13th century, which still stands. When the 15th baron, Henry Bolingbroke, became King Henry IV, the castle became the property of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1207 King John visited and donated £5 towards the upkeep of its chapel. Edward II visited the castle for three days in November 1323, during which time he also visited Norton Priory. A new gate tower was built between 1450-57. During the Tudor period it was primarily used as a prison, an administrative centre, and a court of law. In 1580–81 the castle was designated as a prison for Catholic recusants. According to a survey of the Royal Palaces in 1609, the castle had fallen into disrepair by then.
At the outbreak of the Civil War the castle was garrisoned by the Royalists under the command of Captain Walter Primrose who had been appointed by Earl Rivers. It was besieged by Roundhead Parliamentary forces under Sir William Brereton in 1643, and after several weeks' fighting, the Royalists surrendered. They regained control under Colonel Fenwick after the Parliamentarians abandoned the castle to focus on Royalist forces led by Prince Rupert. There was a second siege in 1644 but, as the fortunes of the Royalists declined elsewhere, they withdrew from Halton and the Parliamentarians under Sir William Brereton re-occupied the castle. In 1646 a "Council of War" was held in Warrington where it was decided that the defences of the castles at Halton and Beeston should be dismantled. Halton Castle served no military function after this time. By 1650 the castle was said to be "very ruinous".
Later history
The condition of the building continued to deteriorate although the gatehouse remained in use as a court. In 1728 George Cholmondeley, 2nd Earl of Cholmondeley leased the site from the Crown. In 1737 a courthouse was built on the site of the medieval gatehouse. Henry Sephton, a Liverpool architect and builder and John Orme, a joiner from Prescot, were appointed to carry out the work. The first floor was the courtroom and prisoners were held in the basement. By 1792 the courthouse had fallen into disrepair and money was found to repair it, although the source of that money is unclear. The court continued to function there until 1908. Around 1800 three folly walls had been added to the existing ruined walls on the east side of the castle to make it look more impressive from Norton Priory, the home of Sir Richard Brooke. One of these walls was demolished around 1906. During the Victorian era a sunken garden and two bowling greens were constructed within the castle enclosure. In 1977 the castle was leased to Halton Borough Council. In 1986–87 the site of the castle was excavated.
Present state
The castle continues to be owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and the site is managed by the Norton Priory Museum Trust. The interior of the castle is occasionally opened to the public and there are plans to make it more accessible in the future. The castle is a Grade I listed building. Its walls are in a ruinous state but the circumference is intact and it is possible to walk completely around the exterior. From its prominent position there are extensive views in all directions, including Lancashire, Cheshire, the Pennines, the hills of the Peak District and the mountains of North Wales. The courthouse is now a public house, the Castle Hotel. Its first floor is used as a function room and the basement contains the cellars of the public house. It is designated as a Grade II* listed building.
