 The castle was built by Sir Richard Conyers in 1470 and it is the oldest surviving building in any of the Cowtons.The castle was built at the time of the Wars of the Roses, which gives an indication of why what is a country gentleman's house is so heavily fortified.The castle is a grade I listed building; it is situated near the 15th century St Mary's Church, and overlooks the field markings from the abandoned village of South Cowton.