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Middleham Castle is a medieval fortress located in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire (not Durham), founded in the late eleventh century by Robert Penrose following the Norman Conquest. The castle is dominated by a substantial stone keep, constructed in the twelfth century, which represents one of the finest examples of Norman military architecture in northern England. The site was developed further with the addition of curtain walls and domestic structures during the medieval period, and notably served as a residence of the royal house during the fifteenth century, particularly under Richard III before his accession to the throne. The remains, now in the care of English Heritage, retain significant archaeological and architectural value as evidence of medieval castle development and domestic life in the North of England.
Middleham Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002330. View the official record →
Middleham Castle is a medieval fortress located in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire (not Durham), founded in the late eleventh century by Robert Penrose following the Norman Conquest. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002330.
Middleham Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1002330.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Deserted medieval village and field system at Garmondsway (3.9 km), Coxhoe medieval settlement, 170m south west of East House Farm (4.7 km), Manorial settlement, fishponds and field system, 200m south west of Layton House (6.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Middleham Castle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Middleham Castle stands on Zechstein Group, bedrock that formed in the Late Permian. The rock here is dolomitised limestone and dolomite.