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Castles close to Thornwick Bay

Exploring a castle makes a great day out for all the family. Close to Thornwick Bay are a number of great castles. Most castles are around 800 plus years old and all have their own characters. Castles were built for the defence of the land. Some castles are now in ruins but some are remarkably well preserved.

Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, Yorkshire

Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, Yorkshire

Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, Yorkshire - the remains of medieval Royal fortress. a castle has stood on this site since Roman times, with commanding views out to the North Sea. Over the centuries, structures were added and reinforced with medieval monarchs investing heavily in order to guard the Yorkshire coastline from the threat of Scottish and overseas invasion. The castle has been a ruin since the sieges of the English Civil War, between 1642 and 1648. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply.

Flamborough Castle, Flamborough, Yorkshire

Flamborough Castle, Flamborough, Yorkshire

Flamborough Castle, Flamborough, Yorkshire - the remains of 14th fortified manor house. At the centre of these defences stood a chalk pele tower. The tower still stands to first floor level on three sides, the only surviving visible reminder of the castle. Although there is no public access to the ruins, it can be viewed from the nearby road.

Skipsea Castle, Skipsea, Yorkshire

Skipsea Castle, Skipsea, Yorkshire

Skipsea Castle, Skipsea, Yorkshire - earthwork remains of a Norman motte or castle. Originally built to subdue the Saxon North of England, it also served to protect the coastline from Viking raids. Henry III ordered Skipsea destroyed in 1221 after its then owner, Count William de Forz II, rebelled against the crown. Free and open access at any reasonable time.

Helmsley Castle, Helmsley, Yorkshire

Helmsley Castle, Helmsley, Yorkshire

Helmsley Castle, Helmsley, Yorkshire - built at the beginning of the 13th century. Helmsley was again remodelled into a more comfortable residence by the Manners family during the 16th century. Besieged by Parliamentary troops for three months in 1644, the garrison finally surrendered and so it became home to the Duke of Buckingham and his wife, the daughter of Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary commander. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply

Knaresborough Castle, North Yorkshire

Knaresborough Castle, North Yorkshire

Knaresborough Castle, North Yorkshire - the remains of medieval fortress. Viewed as an important northern fortress by English royalty King John, Edward I and Edward II all lavished funds on strengthening and improving its defences. Like most other castles across the country, Knaresborough met its end following the Civil War, when in 1648 it was blown up, or slighted, on the orders of Parliament to prevent any future use as a military structure. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply

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