York Castle, Medieval castle in York, England
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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York city walls
88 m
York Castle Museum
116 m
Fairfax House
108 m
Female Prison, York
121 m
York Crown Court
85 m
York Debtor's Prison
123 m
Tower Street drill hall
77 m
York Magistrates' Court
131 m
Castlegate House And Attached Railings
105 m
9, Tower Place
129 m
York Army Museum
84 m
Fairfax House
102 m
City walls attached to Tower Place
88 m
Clifford's Tower
6 m
1 to 3 Friars Terrace, including 8 Peckitt Street, and attached gates and railings
124 m
29, Castlegate
95 m
11 And 12, Tower Street
67 m
31, Castlegate
87 m
Numbers 1-5 South Esplanade and gates and railings
117 m
Number 20 Castlegate and wall attached to SW corner
142 m
Railings And Gate Piers Approximately 10 Metres North East Of Number 26 (Castlegate House)
110 m
Numbers 3 and 4 Tower Street and gates and railings attached to front
79 m
13 and 14, Tower Street
69 m
8, 9, 10, 10A and B, Tower Street
74 m
6 And 7, Tower Street
72 m
19 and 21, Clifford Street
125 m
Numbers 1-7 (consecutive) and gates and railings attached to numbers 2-6
111 m
Yorkshire Regiment Boer War Memorial
130 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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