Gatepost at end of fence on NW side of rural road east of Castlesteads

Image: © Roger Templeman Taken: 4 Mar 2023

There is an Ordnance Survey benchmark Image on the road face of the gatepost. Castlesteads Mansion, seen in the middle background, is one of the most important buildings in Walton. It is listed as a grade II building. It was built at the end of the 18th century by the Johnson family. It is believed that the estate was previously owned by the Dacre family who built "Walton House" using bricks from the nearby Hadrian's Wall. The Johnson family purchased the estate in 1789 and replaced "Walton House" with a larger mansion, known as Castlesteads. It is located on an old Roman fort called the Cambeck fort of Camden. The mansion is south east of Walton and is surrounded by 75 acres (30 ha) of woods, it also looks over the River Irthing. In 1839, William Ford described Castlesteads in his journal as being "an elegant and modern residence." At the time of this description Castlesteads was known as "Walton House" and was occupied by William Johnson. Ford also states that many "Roman remains" were dug up and are preserved at Castelesteads.

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