Clan Rising
Spofforth Castle today

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.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1400

Its prime

1450

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1450

What Spofforth Castle looked like 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 explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach to the western ruinsInner courtyardHall lobby and entranceHall tower eastern wall with arched windowsUndercroft entrance and chamberStaircases cut into the eastern rockNorth chamber and polygonal stair turretRock foundation of the eastern wall

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Recreate Spofforth Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1450, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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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.

  • Percy

    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.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Spofforth Castle.

Harewood House, EnglandMuseumHarewood House8 km awayHeadingley Cricket Ground, EnglandStadiumHeadingley Cricket Ground17 km awayFountains Abbey, EnglandAncient siteFountains Abbey19 km away

Questions about Spofforth Castle

What is the history of Spofforth Castle?

Spofforth Castle was built in the early 14th century as a fortified manor house for Henry de Percy, under a licence to crenellate. Alterations followed in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Percy estates were confiscated and restored more than once, before Spofforth returned to the family and remained inhabited by their steward, Sampson Ingleby, until 1604; it was ruined during the English Civil War.

What is inside Spofforth Castle?

Inside Spofforth Castle, the surviving spaces include a ground-floor undercroft, a hall lobby and entrance, and a north-side chamber. Two staircases cut into the eastern rock lead to the hall lobby, while the north chamber has a polygonal stair turret. The upper storey is a 15th-century construction and is probably a restoration.

Who owns Spofforth Castle now?

Spofforth Castle is owned by English Heritage. English Heritage also operates it, and the ruins have been a Grade II* listed building since 1985. The castle was given to the Office of Works in 1924 by the 3rd Baron Leconfield before its present ownership and operation.

Why was Spofforth Castle built, and what was it used for?

Spofforth Castle was built as a fortified manor house for Henry de Percy, who received a licence to crenellate the manor house on the site. It therefore served as a fortified residence rather than only as a military stronghold. It was later inhabited by the Percy family’s steward until 1604 and is now a ruined tourist attraction.

Does anyone live at Spofforth Castle now?

No one is stated to live at Spofforth Castle today. It is a ruined fortified manor house owned and operated by English Heritage, rather than a documented current residence. Its former steward, Sampson Ingleby, lived there until 1604.

Where is Spofforth Castle?

Spofforth Castle is in Spofforth, in North Yorkshire, England. It is associated with the administrative area of Spofforth with Stockeld. The castle stands in the village of Spofforth.

When was Spofforth Castle built?

Spofforth Castle was first raised around 1400, placing its construction in the early 14th century. The surviving building developed in phases, with later alterations in the 14th and 15th centuries. The upper storey is a 15th-century construction and is probably a restoration.

What did Spofforth Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Spofforth Castle was a compact hall-tower with associated ranges, built of red-brown sandstone on exposed bedrock. Tall, narrow arched windows pierced the upper wall, while an undercroft and dark doorway occupied ground level. A polygonal stair turret and a small open courtyard with low stone partitions completed the surviving form.

Is Spofforth Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Spofforth Castle is a ruin today. The hall-tower and associated ranges are the main surviving fabric, while the eastern wall stands largely on rock foundations. The castle was reduced to ruins during the English Civil War, and the surviving ruins are now under the guardianship of English Heritage.

Can you visit Spofforth Castle?

Yes, Spofforth Castle can be visited as a tourist attraction. It is now run by English Heritage, and its ruins are under English Heritage’s guardianship. The site is a Grade II* listed building, but no admission details are stated here.

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