EAW050709 ENGLAND (1953). Pickering Castle and the town, Pickering, 1953

Pickering Castle, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AX



The castle is in the care of English Heritage and is open to hte public for a fee. It is a Scheduled Monument.



The first castle at Pickering was erected around 1070 of the motte and bailey design.



The remaining stone buildings standing today keep to the outline of the original wooden fort



The old hall, situated close to the curtain wall behind the chapel, is the oldest surviving stone structure in Pickering Castle, dating from the early 12th century.



Located at the original entrance to Pickering Castle is the two-storey, 12th century Coleman Tower. The Coleman Tower, built by Henry II, acts as entrance and protection to the inner bailey, which contains the chapel and main hall used for feasting and as a court room for the trial of local offenders. Within the inner bailey, the chapel is the only building to have a roof, although this dates from later restoration.



The outer bailey was protected by a stone curtain wall with four towers, much of which remain standing to their full height. This was the last major defensive upgrading of the castle, made by Edward II from 1323 to 1326