Overlooking the steep valley of the Cor Burn, Aydon Castle is one of the finest examples in England of a 13th-century manor house. It was originally built as an undefended house, during a time of unusual peace in the Borders. When peace ended, the house had to be fortified at once but even so, it was pillaged and burnt by the Scots in 1315, seized by English rebels two years later, and underwent frequent repairs and modifications. In the 17th century, the castle was converted into a farmhouse, and it remained so until 1966.
Bolton Castle is a spectacular mediaeval fortress, situated in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, on the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It was built in 1399 by Richard le Scrope, 1st Lord Scrope of Bolton and Lord Chancellor of England. Bolton has never been sold, and remains in the private ownership of Lord Bolton, Richard le Scropes' descendant. Go to the history pages to find out more about the fascinating trials and tribulations of Bolton's captivating history.
The Tower has a turbulent history, surviving 1,000 years of flood, fire and siege. Its origins were violent: William the Conqueror built the castle for his northern campaign of terror in 1069. At various points in its history, Clifford's Tower became a royal mint, functioned as a prison, gruesomely displayed the bodies of leaders of uprisings, and was even a court.
A magnificent ruin, dominating a lonely stretch of Northumberland's beautiful coastline. Originally built in 1316, the castle was later enlarged by John of Gaunt and then severely damaged during the Wars of the Roses, since when it has been derelict.
Surrounded by spectacular banks and ditches, the great medieval castle's impressive ruins stand beside the attractive market town of Helmsley. The fortress was probably begun after 1120 by Walter Espec - 'Walter the Woodpecker'. Renowned for piety as well as soldiering, this Norman baron of 'gigantic stature' also founded nearby Rievaulx Abbey and Kirkham Priory, both English Heritage properties.
Perched atop a rocky crag and accessible over a causeway at low tide only, the castle presents an exciting and alluring aspect. Originally a Tudor fort, it was converted into a private house in 1903 by the young Edwin Lutyens. The small rooms are full of intimate decoration and design, the windows looking down upon the charming walled garden, planned by Gertrude Jekyll.
One of the largest and most impressive of English medieval castles, Raby Castle, in County Durham, Northumbria, provides a wonderful day out for all the family. Wonder at its towers, turrets, embattled walls, interiors and artworks from the Medieval, Regency and Victorian periods.See the herds of deer roaming the surrounding parkland, enjoy the ornamental gardens, the horse-drawn carriages, relax in the tearooms and be tempted by traditional and unusual gifts & souvenirs in the gift shop.Built in the mid 14th century on the site of an earlier fortified manor house by the powerful Nevill family who owned it until the Rising of the North in 1569, Raby Castle has been the home of Lord Barnard's family since 1626.
Breathtakingly sited on a rocky promontory above the River Swale, the great castle of Richmond is among the oldest Norman stone fortresses in Britain, begun in the decades after the Conquest. The towering keep, over 30 metres (100 feet) high and remarkably complete within, was added during the reign of Henry II in the 1170s: its roof provides splendid views over the clustered houses of the pretty market town.
