Crayke Castle

Crayke Castle is a medieval stronghold in North Yorkshire featuring a main tower house built from sandstone with thick walls and narrow openings typical of the period. A separate ruined tower stands beside it, adding to the complex's appearance as a fortified residence.

The castle was built around 1450 for Robert Neville, Bishop of Durham, combining both residential and defensive purposes. It suffered damage during the English Civil War in 1647 but was later restored and now stands as a protected monument.

The castle occupies a site that was home to an Anglo-Saxon monastery, showing how religious and military power overlapped during the Middle Ages. Visitors walking the grounds can sense this layering of different periods in the same place.

The castle sits on elevated ground reached by a short walk from the nearest parking area. Visiting works best on clear days since the site offers little shelter and you will be exposed to weather while walking around the grounds.

The kitchen area with its large fireplace dates to the mid-1400s and ranks among the oldest surviving features of the site. This early functional space reveals how daily activities were arranged within medieval fortified homes.

Location: Crayke

GPS coordinates: 54.12940,-1.14530

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:00