York Castle

York Castle consists of a stone keep called Clifford's Tower, which sits on an artificial earthen mound and overlooks the area. Below stretch the remains of defensive walls, courtyards and outbuildings along the riverside.

William the Conqueror ordered the construction of this fortress in 1068 to secure control over northern England after the Norman invasion. The current stone tower arose in the mid-thirteenth century under Henry III as a replacement for an earlier wooden structure.

The round tower on the hill dates from the thirteenth century and originally served as part of the royal administration of Yorkshire. Today visitors use the viewing platform to look over the rooftops and lanes of the old town.

The site lies just a few walking minutes from the city center and is easily reachable on foot from most sights in York. A car park is located immediately next to the entrance area for visitors arriving by car.

During the medieval period two separate castles stood on opposite banks of the river Ouse, with Baile Hill forming the less known sister site. Archaeologists discovered beneath the Norman mound traces of Roman fortifications and an Anglian burial ground from earlier centuries.

Location: York

Location: City of York

Inception: 1068

Founders: William the Conqueror

Architects: Henry de Reynes

GPS coordinates: 53.95583,-1.08000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:33