Spofforth Castle

#322 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Forts and castles, Historical place

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Facts and practical information

Spofforth Castle, nestled in the quaint village of Spofforth in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is a historical tapestry woven from the threads of medieval England. This partially ruined castle, dating back to the 11th century, stands as a testament to the power and prestige of the Percy family, one of the most significant noble families of the Northern counties.

The stone remains of Spofforth Castle, primarily consisting of the undercroft of the great hall and the west tower, evoke images of its former grandeur. It was here, within these storied walls, that the Magna Carta was reputedly drafted, a document that would become a cornerstone of English liberty. This fact alone imbues the site with a gravitas that resonates with visitors and history enthusiasts alike.

Spofforth Castle was originally constructed as a manor house and was later fortified during the 14th century, reflecting the turbulent times of the medieval period. Despite its fortifications, the castle was not immune to the ravages of conflict and was severely damaged during the Wars of the Roses.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 53°57'17"N, 1°27'9"W

Location

15 Castle St.Spofforth HG 3 1 EnglandUnited Kingdom

Contact

+44 1904 601974

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Day trips

Spofforth Castle – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Mother Shipton's Cave, Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag, Black Bull, Wetherby Bridge.

3.4 miN
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Mother Shipton's Cave, Knaresborough
88 min walk • Mother Shipton's Cave is at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, near the River Nidd. Nearby is a petrifying well, also known as a dropping well. The latter is the oldest tourist attraction to charge a fee in England, and has been operated since 1630.
3.4 miN
Sacred and religious sites, Church
Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag, Knaresborough
86 min walk • The early-fifteenth century Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag is located in an old quarry on Abbey Road beside the Nidd Gorge at Knaresborough and is an early 15th century chapel cut out of the sandstone of the river gorge cliff face.
3.2 miSE
City hall
Black Bull, Leeds
83 min walk • Wetherby Town Hall is a community building in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The town hall no longer plays a major civic function but provides an office which is used by Wetherby Town Council and facilities for local groups and events.
3.3 miSE
Bridge
Wetherby Bridge, Leeds
85 min walk • Wetherby Bridge is a scheduled monument and Grade II-listed bridge over the River Wharfe in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, dating from the 13th century. The bridge connects Micklethwaite on the south bank to the town centre on the north.
3.2 miSE
Church
Wetherby Methodist Church, Wetherby
82 min walk • Wetherby Methodist Church is an active Methodist Church of Great Britain church in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The present church is on Bank Street and replaces earlier chapels on North Street and Victoria Street.
3.2 miSE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St James Church, Leeds
82 min walk • St James' Parish Church is an Anglican parish church serving the parish of Wetherby with Linton in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England.
3.2 miNW
53°58'36"N • 1°31'16"W
Harrogate Climbing Centre, Harrogate
81 min walk • Sport complex, Climbing
3.1 miSE
Nightlife, Cinema
Wetherby's Cinema, Leeds
78 min walk • Wetherby's Cinema, officially the Wetherby Film Theatre and formerly the Rodney Bingo Hall, Rodney Cinema and the Raby Picture House, is a cinema in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England, that originally opened in April 1915.
3.1 miSE
Park
Wetherby Ings, Leeds
79 min walk • Wetherby Ings are water meadows, by the River Wharfe now used as parkland in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The ings on the north and south bank are used as parkland and for sports grounds for the town's football and rugby league teams.
~1460 ftE
Church
All Saints Church
8 min walk • All Saints Church is an Anglican church in the parish of Spofforth and Kirk Deighton in North Yorkshire, England.
3.4 miSE
Bridge
Linton Bridge, Leeds
87 min walk • Linton Bridge carries the minor road that links Collingham and Linton over the River Wharfe near Wetherby in West Yorkshire, England. The Grade II listed bridge was built out of rock-faced stone in the early to mid-19th century. Its parapet, terminating in square piers, was renewed later that century.