Helmsley Castle

Towering over the attractive market town, Helmsley Castle is an imposing site with a wealth of history

Castles

Contact Details:

Helmsley Castle
Helmsley
North Yorkshire
YO62 5AB

(view on map)

Contact: Visitor Operations Site Staff
Tel: 01439 770 442
Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/helmsley

Don't forget to mention herriotcountry.com when making an enquiry.

Description:

The first castle at Helmsley was built in the early twelfth century by Walter ‘the Woodpecker’ Espec, who also founded nearby Rievaulx Abbey and Kirkham Priory. The castle was added to by successive generations, and remodelled into a luxurious manor house in the Elizabethan period.

This fascinating story is told through an imaginative hands-on exhibition in the mansion range, which explores the social and domestic, as well as the military, aspects of the fortress. The towering, shattered keep and fearsome earthworks continue to fire the imaginations of visitors to the site, making Helmsley Castle the perfect location to learn more about the dramatic history of this region.

Look out for our medieval summer of events, featuring peasants and players, falconry and a knight school for budding heroes! For details, please see our website.

Map: