I. During the first English Civil War there were a number of engagements in the vicinity, most notably the siege and eventual destruction of Grafton Manor House in 1644. Parliamentarian forces involved in this action passed through Alderton. There is little evidence of any significant use of the castle at this time, however. Some civil war musket balls have been discovered but may be associated with musket practice. Certainly it is documented that during the 18th century the site was used as a gentlemen's rifling range. During the Victorian era the castle appears to have been a popular picnic spot, judging by the recent porcelain and glass finds. This use as a village amenity has continued to the present day. In 1998 Derek Batten, a resident of the neighbouring village of Paulerspury and former County Councillor, purchased the castle site. Time Team visit As The Mount is a scheduled ancient monument, ordinarily Channel 4's archaeological television programme Time Team would not have been given permission to excavate the site. Because so little is known about it, however – and about this type of castle in general – English Heritage did on this occasion grant permission for a dig in three specific areas. One of these was in the ditch surrounding the castle; one on the ramparts; and one inside the castle. The aim, according to Glyn Coppack, the English Heritage inspector with responsibility for the excavation, was to obtain 'the maximum amount of information for the minimum disturbance of the site'. The programme was broadcast on 14 January 2001 and is summarised on the Time Team website. Medieval Castle In August 2009, archaeologists uncovered what they believed were remains of the only medieval stone castle in South Northamptonshire, after they picked up where Time Team's archaeologists left off eight years before. Church of St Margaret The building dates from 1522–1528 and later 1848. There is a monument to Sir William de Combermartin (d. ca. 1318). Manor House The building dates from 1695. Notable residents Sir Arthur Hesilrige, of Alderton, was one of the five MPs impeached by King Charles I in 1642. Public access The Mount is open to the public; however, there is very little parking in Alderton other than on the main road. Take care climbing the steep steps up to the top of the ringworks and on the steep slopes at the sides. Please respect the privacy