Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum, Medieval fortress and courthouse museum in North Yorkshire, England
Description
The castle sits on limestone cliffs above the River Nidd, showing surviving walls, underground dungeons, and a 16th-century courthouse building that once served local legal functions. The remains reveal different periods of construction and use across several centuries.
History
Construction began around 1100 as a royal stronghold used by medieval kings, but Parliament ordered its destruction during the Civil War as a military threat. The courthouse building survived this period and later became a museum.
Culture
The courthouse tells stories of local figures like Blind Jack Metcalf and famous prophecies that remain part of regional conversation. These narratives connect visitors to the people and beliefs that shaped this area over centuries.
Practical
The site sits on a cliff with stairs and pathways leading to different areas and levels. Walking can be slippery in places, especially after rain, so sturdy shoes and care when moving between levels are recommended.
Did you know?
The courthouse preserves an original Tudor courtroom with its own benches where judges once tried cases of forest law violations and disputes between neighbors. This room functions much as it did centuries ago and offers a rare glimpse into everyday justice from the past.
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Knaresborough Castle
39 m
Gallon Steps With 2 Lamp Posts And Walls, Linking Waterside And Kirkgate
144 m
Prison Attached To North End Of Court House
48 m
Court House Museum
59 m
Knaresborough War Memorial
114 m
Richmond House
114 m
Weir Across River Nidd At Castle Mill
145 m
8, Castle Yard
96 m
11A,13,15, Castlegate
138 m
13, Market Place
149 m
2,4, Kirkgate
138 m
7, Castlegate
131 m
2,4, Castlegate
145 m
33A,33, Market Place
138 m
Castle Vaults
123 m
15, Kirkgate
122 m
21,23, Kirkgate
127 m
Castle Mill Central Building At Right Angle To Road
135 m
National School For Boys
88 m
25, Kirkgate
127 m
1,1A, Castlegate
127 m
Former Boatshed And Dye House Attached To North Side Of No 19
123 m
26,28, Cheapside
149 m
The Moat Cafe With Wall To Right
117 m
19, Kirkgate
126 m
Castle Mill Central Range Parallel To And Set Back From Road
145 m
National School For Infants And Girls
80 m
2A, Castlegate
143 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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