Helmsley Castle, North Yorkshire

The first castle on this site was built in 1120. In 1186 Robert de Roos began work on converting the castle to stone, building two main towers, the round corner towers and the main gateway on the south side of the castle.

Helmsley Castle remained in the possession of the de Roos family until 1478 when Edmund de Roos sold the castle to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. After Richard III's death at the Battle of Bosworth, Helmsley castle was restored to Edmund de Roos by Henry VII and the castle continued to be passed down the family.

During the English Civil War, the castle was besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1644. Sir Jordan Crosland held it for the King for 3 months before surrendering. Parliament ordered that the castle should be slighted to prevent its further use and so much of the castle's walls, gates and the eastern half of the east tower were destroyed. However the mansion was spared. The castle had by this time been inherited by George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham.

After his death in 1687 the castle was sold to Charles Duncombe, a banker and politician who was knighted in 1699 and became Lord Mayor of London in 1708. His sister Mary's husband, Thomas Brown, inherited the castle on Charles's death in 1711. Thomas changed his name to Duncombe. He hired Sir John Vanbrugh to build a new stately home at Duncombe Park overlooking the castle and left the castle to decay. The castle is still owned by the Faversham family of Duncombe Park.

(Photograph courtesy of Trish & Chris Seymour).

Opening Times

Opening days and times vary throughout the year. Please check the website.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £4.80
Children: £2.90
Concessions: £4.30
Family Ticket: £12.50
EH Member: Free

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Disabled Facilities

Full ground level ramping and a virtual tour of less accessible areas are available for disabled visitors.

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More Information

Telephone: 01439 770442

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