England · Ruin
Spofforth Castle
Spofforth Castle is a ruined early-14th-century fortified manor house in Spofforth, North Yorkshire. The surviving fabric is dominated by the hall-tower and associated ranges; it was ruined in the English Civil War and is now cared for by English Heritage.
First raised
1400
Its prime
1450
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1450
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact hall-tower and ruined ranges of red-brown sandstone sit on and against exposed bedrock, with the eastern wall built directly on a rock face. Tall, narrow arched window openings puncture the upper wall, while the ground level contains an undercroft with a dark doorway. Rubble masonry, worn ashlar dressings and a polygonal stair turret remain, enclosing a small open courtyard with low stone partitions and visible rock-cut stair slots.
Its story
The story of Spofforth Castle.
Spofforth Castle was built by Henry de Percy in the early 14th century, when he was given a licence to crenellate a manor house on the site; alterations followed in the 14th and 15th centuries. Spofforth was eventually returned to the family and remained inhabited by their steward, Sampson Ingleby — father of Sir William and Jane Ingleby — until 1604.
Ruined during the English Civil War, the fortified manor house — its surviving fabric dominated by the hall-tower and associated ranges — was given to the Office of Works in 1924 by the 3rd Baron Leconfield. English Heritage now runs it as a tourist attraction, and in 1985 the people of Spofforth bought Castle Field for the lasting benefit of the community.
Step inside
8 places to explore in 1450.
The record describes 8 distinct spots at Spofforth Castle — including 3 interiors: hall lobby and entrance, undercroft entrance and chamber, staircases cut into the eastern rock. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Spofforth Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1450 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Spofforth Castle.
The families that held Spofforth Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Built by Henry de Percy in the early 14th century under licence to crenellate; later returned to the family, whose steward lived there until 1604.
