This romantic castle with stunning views over Conisbrough, inspired Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe and still fires the imagination today.
With floors and roof restored in the lofty circular keep you can fully appreciate the magnificence of the original 12th century building. Delve into the medieval world of Lord and Lady de Warenne, and enjoy the grassy areas around the castle walls for games and picnics.
12TH CENTURY WORLD
Inside the massive circular keep you can explore the 12th century world of its first inhabitants, Lord Hamelin and Lady Isabel de Warenne. Hamelin was the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Anjou (father of the Plantagenet dynasty) and half-brother of Henry II. Isabel was the 4th Countess of Surrey, and the wealthiest heiress in the land. Find out more about their lives in the castle keep as they reveal their private thoughts through animated characters projected on the castle walls. There are also a range of display panels in ‘graphic novel’ style.
VISITOR CENTRE
There is a first class welcome and plenty to do in the visitor centre. Peek inside the model of the circular keep and enjoy the castle exhibition. Object displays, a digital model and illustrated panels all help to bring the castle’s history to life. With new stories to tell there’s no better time to visit.
EXPLORE THE DEFENCES
After the heights of the castle, come back down to earth and enjoy a walk around the defences, ditches and banks. See if you can find the place where part of the castle slid down the hillside…
There are plenty of grassed areas that you can use for games and picnics. Children are welcome to run around and explore.