Mulgrave Castle

Mulgrave Castle is a medieval fortification located west of Whitby, with stone walls spreading across a ridge and two guard towers marking its entrance. Defensive ditches and reinforced walls shape the layout of the site and remain its most visible features.

Parliament ordered its destruction in 1647 during the English Civil War, using explosives to dismantle the stone structure. This marked the end of the fortress as a functioning defensive site.

The estate reflects the work of Humphry Repton, a landscape designer who shaped its grounds in 1792 with principles meant to harmonize nature and architecture. You can see today how the surrounding land was deliberately arranged to frame the ruins.

The site sits roughly 6 kilometers west of Whitby with multiple access points, including a main entrance near Lythe village. The terrain includes slopes and uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is advisable for exploring the ruins.

Local legend credits the original fortress to Wada, a 6th-century ruler from Hälsingland who supposedly built numerous fortifications across Yorkshire. This story shows how the place remained rooted in regional memory across the centuries.

Location: Whitby

GPS coordinates: 54.49350,-0.70560

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30