From its construction in 1070 to its destruction after the Civil Wars, this once-fearsome fortress dominated Yorkshire and beyond, earning the nickname, "Key to the North". From battles and sieges, starvation and destruction to royal infidelity and the cultivation of liquorice, you'll be surprised at what these walls have seen!
14th and 15th century outer church
The outer church is of 14th and 15th century origins and is largely ruinous. Alterations were made to the ruins in 1838. The outer church is of a cruciform plan; built of Ashlar sandstone with some rendering. The ruined nave with north and south porches contains the newer structure. The ruined structure has an octagonal tower added in the 18th century. There is a heavily ruined aisled chancel with a 19th-century inserted sanctuary. The south aisle of the nave has four bays with a porch in the second. The nave has a south clerestorey with four windows of twin trefoiled lights with a continuous hoodmould. The west end of the nave is buttressed flank with a four-centred arched doorway. The North nave is as the south with a two-story porch in the second bay. The central tower has paired windows each with two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in the arch and hoodmoulds. The tower has a clock face in an ogee crocketed canopy