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Middleham Castle

Tuesday 07 July
Depart: Parkinson Steps: 13.00
Arrive: Parkinson Steps: 19.00
Open to: IMC Delegates
Price: £47.50
How to Book: Advance Booking Required via IMC Registration

A landscape picture of Middleham Castle

Middleham Castle is among the finest castles in northern England. Its earliest standing fabric, one of England's most impressive Romanesque keeps, dates to the later 12th century. It was likely built to supplant the earlier earthwork castle, William's Hill, on a rise to the south.

The Nevilles, who rose to become one of the most powerful families in England, held the castle from 1260 until the late 15th century. In the late 14th century, Ralph Neville began a series of alterations designed to improve the castle's facilities, including raising the curtain wall to create first-floor ranges on at least three sides. Traces of these improvements can still be seen.

Middleham is best known for its associations with Richard, Duke of Gloucester - later Richard III. The ties of the castle to such a major figure in the public consciousness of English medieval history has at times overshadowed appreciation of Middleham Castle as a sophisticated surviving example of an elite residential complex, comprising suites of chambers, offices, stores, as well as accommodation, halls, and chapels.

In recent years, English Heritage, who care for the castle, completed a project to re-present the castle to the public. This tour will describe the content and rationale of the new interpretation material, as well as examine key features of the castle and its landscape setting. If possible, the tour will also take in a brief visit to the earlier earthwork castle at William's Hill and the parish church.

The guide for this excursion is William Wyeth (English Heritage), who worked on the recent project to re-present the castle to the public.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the listed departure time. Sensible footwear is recommended, as there will be a significant amount of walking on uneven surfaces. It would also be advisable to bring raincoats, sunblock, and water. Meals and other refreshments are not included. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.