aerial photograph of Halton Castle Runcorn Cheshire Engalnd UK. Originally built by the Normans around 1070, little remains of the Castle now with just remnants of the walls and towers stil extant. In 1643 the castle was besieged and taken by Parliamentarian forces under Sir William Brereton, following which Cromwell ordered it to be slighted. After it ceased to be of military importance the gatehouse was used as a court. The gatehouse was eventually knocked down and replaced in 1737 ,with a purpose built court house which is now used as a pub. A recent archaeological dig turned up the remains of a Man and Woman buried within the grounds of the castle