Upper Courtyard with Cistern

The enclosed opening of the rainwater cistern recalls the castle's water supply. The tank collected rainfall rather than drawing from an underground aquifer like a well. The courtyard occupied uneven bedrock, which had to be altered before further buildings could be constructed.

During the medieval expansion, rock was cut away on one side, while aggregate was added on the other to raise the ground. The surface at that time lay about 40-45 centimetres below its present level. An offset in the southern wing's foundation corresponds to a stone-paved surface exposed during archaeological excavation.

Access to the courtyard passed through a gateway and entrance hall; the opening occupied the position of today's gate but stood lower. The approach first passed beneath a high arch in the defensive wall, protected by a portcullis. The buildings also retain a blocked medieval window with a straight lintel and a pink sandstone surround. Pavement, threshold and window illustrate different levels within a castle repeatedly altered as its residential wings grew. The window's stone lintel is a straight beam, and its frame has broadly chamfered edges.