Ravensworth Castle (North Yorkshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ravensworth Castle |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Ravensworth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 54°27′35″N 1°47′03″W / 54.4598°N 1.7841°W |
| Owner | Mrs R Brown (2014) |
Ravensworth Castle is an old castle ruin in the village of Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, England. It was built way back in the 1300s! Today, it's a special historic site. English Heritage has given it a top rating as a 'Grade I listed building'. This means it's a very important historical place.
Contents
Discovering Ravensworth Castle's Past
Ravensworth Castle has a long and interesting history. It dates back many centuries.
Early Days and Royal Visits
The very first time we hear about Ravensworth Castle is from the year 1201. That's when King John himself came to visit! Imagine a king walking through these very grounds.
Building and Changes Over Time
Most of the castle parts you can see today were built in the late 1300s. At that time, the castle belonged to a powerful person named Henry, 1st Baron FitzHugh. In 1391, he made a big change. He enclosed 200 acres (about 81 hectares) of land around the castle. This created a large park for the castle.
Over the years, the castle slowly started to be taken apart. This process began in the 1500s. People used the stones from the castle to build other buildings nearby.
Protecting This Historic Site
Ravensworth Castle and its old park wall are very important. Because of this, English Heritage officially named them a 'Grade I listed building' on February 4, 1969. A Grade I listing is for buildings that are "exceptionally interesting." They are sometimes even seen as important around the world!
The castle and some old earthworks (shapes in the ground made by people long ago) are also called a 'Scheduled Ancient Monument'. This means they are protected by law. It helps make sure they are preserved for the future.
Exploring the Castle's Design
The castle is located on the southeast side of the village of Ravensworth.
Castle Features and Materials
A dry moat (a ditch without water) surrounds the castle. The castle was built using sandstone. Its outer walls are covered with smooth, cut stones called ashlar. What's left of the castle today includes a three-story tower. This tower is connected to a gatehouse, which was the main entrance. You can also see parts of other walls and towers that once stood there.
