Scarborough Castle, Medieval fortress in North Yorkshire, England.
Scarborough Castle is a medieval fortress built on a rocky headland in North Yorkshire overlooking the harbor and North Sea. The site features defensive walls, multiple towers, and a prominent great tower from the 12th century that dominates the coastal landscape.
A Norman noble founded a wooden fortification here in 1130, which King Henry II later transformed into a stone stronghold during the 1150s. This rebuilding made it one of the most significant defensive structures on England's east coast.
The castle served as a seat of royal authority and control along the coast for centuries, functioning as both a residence and military stronghold. Visitors can observe traces of residential chambers and storage areas that reveal how people lived within its defensive walls.
The site is accessible via pathways that wind upward from the base and offer views across the coast as you approach. Visitors should be prepared for changeable coastal weather and wear sturdy footwear, as the rocky terrain can be slippery.
German warships bombed the castle in 1914 during World War I, causing direct damage to its structure. This was one of the rare instances of English coastal fortifications coming under naval attack during that conflict.
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