Yorkshire Castles

Cliffe Castle Museum, located in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England, is a prominent local heritage institution housed in the grand Victorian neo-Gothic Cliffe Castle, which opened as a museum in 1959. Originally constructed as Cliffe Hall in 1828, the building later became home to the museum, succeeding the Keighley Museum that had operated in Eastwood House, Keighley, since around 1892. The museum features a diverse range of galleries dedicated to various aspects of local history and heritage, as well as exhibitions showcasing the architectural and historical significance of the house itself, which holds the distinction of being a Grade II listed building.

Skipton Castle, a remarkably well-preserved Grade I Listed medieval fortress in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England, was constructed in 1090 by Robert de Romille, a Norman baron. Serving both as a prominent tourist attraction and a private residence, this historic stronghold stands at the northern end of Skipton’s High Street, embodying centuries of architectural heritage and cultural significance.

Ripley Castle is a Grade I listed country house dating back to the 14th century, located in the village of Ripley in North Yorkshire, England, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Harrogate. For centuries, the castle has served as the ancestral seat of the Ingilby baronets, standing as a testament to their enduring legacy and heritage. However, in June 2024, it was formally announced that the historic property would be placed on the market for sale.

Castle Howard is a stunning English country house in Henderskelfe, North Yorkshire, about 15 miles (24 km) north of York. Home to the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for over 300 years, it’s still a private residence. This grand estate has also starred in several films and TV shows, including Granada Television’s 1981 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited and a 2008 movie version.

Pickering Castle, located in Pickering, North Yorkshire, England, is a notable example of a motte-and-bailey fortification. Initially constructed from timber, it was later rebuilt in stone and served as a temporary prison for King Richard II in 1399. Today, the castle is under the ownership of the Duchy of Lancaster and is managed by English Heritage.

Scarborough Castle is a medieval royal fortress perched on a rocky headland with stunning views over the North Sea and the town of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. The site includes traces of an Iron Age settlement, a Roman signal station, an Anglo-Scandinavian settlement and chapel, a 12th-century enclosure castle, and an 18th-century battery, making it a scheduled monument of national significance.

Whitby Abbey, founded in the 7th century as a Christian monastery, later became a Benedictine abbey. Perched on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England, it overlooked the North Sea and served as a significant center of the medieval Northumbrian kingdom. The abbey and its assets were seized by the Crown under Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries between 1536 and 1545. Since then, its ruins have served as a navigational landmark for sailors. In the 20th century, the remains of the abbey church were designated a Grade I Listed building and placed under the care of English Heritage. The site museum is located in Cholmley House, a 17th-century banqueting hall redesigned by Stanton Williams in 2002.