Helmsley Castle

Over het museum

Helmsley Castle was begun in timber around 1120 by Walter l'Espec, a Norman lord who also gave the land for nearby Rievaulx Abbey. It stands on a rocky outcrop above the River Rye, protected by double ditches around a rectangular inner bailey. Over the following centuries it passed through several noble families, including the de Roos family and later the Manners family, the Earls of Rutland.

In the 16th century the old hall was converted into a comfortable Tudor mansion, and parts of the castle were turned into residential rooms. In the English Civil War the castle was besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1644. After a three-month defence the royalist garrison surrendered, and Parliament ordered the walls, gates and part of the east tower to be destroyed, although the mansion was spared.

In 1695 the castle was sold to the banker Charles Duncombe. His heirs built the country house of Duncombe Park nearby and left the castle to decay as a picturesque ruin, which the painter J. M. W. Turner sketched. The Office of Works took over its care in 1923, and today it is run by English Heritage. Visitors can walk the earthworks, climb into the remains of the east tower and see the surviving Elizabethan rooms, with displays about life in the castle through five centuries.

Hoogtepunten

• The east tower, which still dominates the town
• Double banks and ditches with views of the surrounding parkland
• Elizabethan mansion in the west range with conserved timber panelling and plasterwork
• Displays about five centuries of life in the castle
• Free audio tour and a virtual tour of the less accessible areas

Vaste collectie

• Life in the castle – Displays explore life in the castle through five centuries of war and peace, in the visitor centre and the Elizabethan west range.

Beheerder

English Heritage

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices are advance online prices without the optional donation, booked until midnight the day before; they vary by date. Tickets bought on the day cost more (adult 10.90, child 5.40, concession 10.00, family 27.20, one-adult family 16.30). Tickets with a voluntary donation are slightly higher. Free for English Heritage members, who can still book online. Tickets are valid all day.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: niet aanwezig
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: niet aanwezig
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie

The site has ground-level ramping but no lift. Paths are mostly grass and gravel with one slight incline at the start of the tour, and the ground can be slippery when wet and uneven in places, with steep earthworks leading to the inner moats. A virtual tour shows the less accessible areas. Accessible toilets are available, but there is no adult changing facility. Portable induction loops are available. Assistance dogs are welcome and a water bowl is at the entrance. Free audio tours are available for blind and visually impaired visitors.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Verschoonruimte

There is plenty of space for children to run around and explore the earthworks and grounds, although there is no dedicated play area. The English Heritage page suggests a Build your own fort activity for children. Baby changing facilities are available.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Follow the brown signs to the long-stay car park. Sat nav postcode is YO62 5AB.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

The visitor centre shop sells gifts, souvenirs, maps, books and Yorkshire clothing, and cold drinks and ice creams are available. Visitors can picnic in the grounds. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds, shop and museum.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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