Middleham Castle

Located at Middleham, the ruins of the castle are absolutely spectacular. The castle fell into disrepair over the 15 and 16 hundreds, which was added to when local people started using stone from the walls to build many of the homes in the local town.

The central Keep is still a powerful structure despite its ruined state which only makes the visitor wonder just how much more imposing it must have been in it’s hayday, when it must have dominated the countryside.

Middleham was given to Alan Rufus or ‘Alan The Red’, a nephew of William the Conqueror in 1069. He subsequently built a wooden motte-and-bailey castle on William's Hill, 500 yards to the south-west of where the present castle stands. This castle was abandoned in the 12th century when a new castle was built in 1170. The stone keep was one of the largest in England, with twelve foot thick walls and three floors.

The site has a shop with souvenirs and snacks. There are no on-site washroom facilities.

Admission:
Adults - £4.00
Children - £2.00
English Heritage members - free

Links: http://www.middlehamonline.com/Middleham%20Castle.htm

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