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Helmsley Castle
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Helmsley Castle
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“Surrounded by spectacular banks and ditches, the ruins of this once great castle lie close to the attractive market town of Helmsley. The original fortress was built in 1120 by Walter l’Espec, better known at the time as ‘Walter the Woodpecker’. Of ‘gigantic stature’, the good Norman baron was famed for his religious devotion, as well as his soldiering, and – as Lord of Helmsley - he went on to found nearby Rievaulx Abbey and Kirkham Priory. Most of Helmsley’s surviving stonework defences were raised during the late 12th and 13th centuries by the crusader Robert de Roos and his descendants. Later on, the Manners family turned the castle into a luxurious mansion, decorating it with fine plasterwork and panelling, some of which survives to this day. The castle’s one and only military trial was during the Civil War in 1644, when the castle was besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his Parliamentary army. The Royalist garrison at Helmsley endured a three month siege under Sir Jordan Crosland before being starved into submission. Fairfax then blew up the defences but spared the mansion, which subsequently became the home of his daughter, Mary and her husband, the decadent Duke of Buckingham. Helmsley Castle was later abandoned when its owners moved to nearby Duncombe Park, but it remains the property of Lord Feversham of Duncombe and is cared for by English Heritage. ”
Castlegate Helmsley, York
YO62 5AB
Visit Website
1-20 Mar, 1 Apr-31 Oct: daily 10-5pm
1 Nov-29 Feb: Thu-Mon 10-4pm
Adult: £4
Child: £2
Concession: £3
Family: £10
See more Castles in North of England:
- Alnwick Castle
- Barnard Castle
- Beeston Castle
- Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
- Birdoswald Roman Fort
- Brougham Castle
- Carlisle Castle
- Castle Howard
- Clifford’s Tower
- Dunstanburgh Castle
- Etal Castle
- Helmsley Castle
- Lindisfarne Castle
- Middleham Castle
- Muncaster Castle & Owl Centre
- Pickering Castle
- Piel Castle
- Prudhoe Castle
- Richmond Castle
- Ripley Castle
- Scarborough Castle
- Sizergh Castle
- Skipton Castle
- Tynemouth Priory & Castle
- Warkworth Castle & Hermitage
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