Hemlsley Castle

Helmsley Castle is located in the Yorkshire market town of Helmsley on the A170 to Scarborough and is located in the heart of the North York Moors National Park.  The castle is located just behind the main square of Helmsley and there is a large car park near the Entrance and Visitors Centre.

Originally a wooden castle built by Walter l'Espec around 1120, it's most noticable feature are the huge earthwork ditches.  Robert de Roos began work on converting the castle to stone, building two main towers, round corner towers and main gateway.  The castle was strengthened again in the 13th century with the addition of barbicans in the north and south.  In the 1560's the west tower and great hall were converted to a Tudorhouse by Edward Manners.

During the Civil War, much of the castle was destroyed, but it was still used as a residence until the 18th Century until the nearby Duncombe Park was built.  The castle has two massive earthwork ditches and the castle consists of:

South Outer Bailey
South Barbican
South Gate
Inner Bailey
Great Hall
West Tower
East Tower
Chapel
Chamber Block and Latrine Tower
North Gatehouse and Barbican

The Tudor Mansion House is still roofed and contains fragments of the tudor interior.  Much of the Latrine Tower, Chamber Block and West Tower were extensively rebuilt and remodelled by Edwards Manners between 1563-87.  The West Tower became the private aparments, whilst the former Chamber Block was redesigned as series of state apartments.  The castle passed into state Guardianship in 1923 and much of the castle owes it's current appearance to Sir Charles Peer's restorations.

The castle is now managed by English Heritage who also manage the nearby Pickering Castle.

Entrance Prices:
English Heritage Members: Free
Adult: £4.80
Child: £2.90