Spofforth Castle
The ruins of Spofforth Castle rest a short distance from Harrogate. The castle came to be in the 11th century, after it was built by William De Percy
Percy was part of the Percy family, one of the most notable families in northern England. The castle remained in the Percy seat until the end of the 14th century.
Spofforth Castle was a glorious sight until the battle of Towton in 1461. The Earl of Warwick attacked the castle and burnt it to the ground.
The castle stayed as ruins until 1559, until Henry, Lord Percy returned and restored it. From then, an array of occupants have lived in the castle, until it became ruins again in the Civil War.
Nowadays, visitors can come and explore the site for free! As well as free entry, the ruins rest near a free car park and several of Spofforth village’s amenities.
Dogs are also welcome here, so you can bring along your furry friend for a walk through Spofforth Castle and the surrounding countryside.
Uncover remnants of the Norman period with a visit here…
Image Credits: TJBlackwell – CC BY 3.0