Yorkshire Castles:
Yorkshire in northern England is a rugged county known for its warm non-nonsense people and gorgeous countryside.
It has lots of treasures, from York and its Minster, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and acres of moorland which inspired the Brontes.
However, it also has quite a few castles from the majestic to ruins – here’s our guide to the best Yorkshire castles:
Richmond Castle
A huge, stark Norman castle overlooking the River Swale.
Stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales elevate the Richmond Castle into its rightful place as one of the most beloved attractions in North Yorkshire.
Originally built to keep the peace in the unruly northern region, today, the castle is one of the most inspiring Norman fortresses in Great Britain. (Source)
Here’s our post on this majestic castle: https://englandexplore.com/richmond-castle
Skipton Castle
Skipton Castle Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year.
Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. (Source)
Scarborough Castle
Henry II’s massive great tower, built between 1159 and 1169, and the medieval castle walls dominate the Scarborough headland.
Within the line of the castle wall are the remains of a 13th century royal residence and at the seaward tip of the headland are the combined ruins of a Roman signal station and medieval chapel. (Source)
Skipsea Castle
Not much to look at – it’s now just a mount on a field – it’s one of the oldest settlements on this.
Recent research has revealed that the mound at Skipsea, thought to be a motte created by the Normans, dates from the Iron Age.
Spofforth Castle
Spofforth was the main seat of the Percy family – one of the most important and influential families in northern England – until the late 14th century.
William de Percy, a favourite of William the Conqueror, built a manor house here in the 11th century, and it was reputedly here that rebel barons drew up Magna Carta in 1215.
The surviving remains are those of a fortified manor house, dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries. (Source)
Whorlton Castle
Whorlton Castle was raised as a motte-and-bailey fortification in the late eleventh century to dominate an area that was still recovering from the punitive attacks of the Norman ‘Harrying of the North’.
It was substantially rebuilt in the fourteenth century in the form of a Tower House but today only the Gatehouse still stands. (Source)
Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle in Wensleydale is one of the country’s best preserved medieval castles; originally built as one of the finest and most luxurious homes in the land, the castle bears the scars of over 600 years of fascinating history.
The castle is still in the private ownership of Lord Bolton, the direct descendant of the castle’s original owner Sir Richard le Scrope. (Source)
Cliffords Tower (York Castle)
Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the centre of government for the north of En