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The castle, which was the principal northern
stronghold of the Earls of Surrey, is situated on a hill within
the town, and dominates many of the views around the locality.
This had already been the site of an earlier
Saxon settlement, and William de Warrene built a timber fort
here in 1070. This was later replaced by the present stone castle
by Hameline Plantagenet in 1180. |
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Conisbrough and the landscape around it was
later to become the inspiration and setting for Sir Walter Scott's
story of Ivanhoe.
The magnificent circular keep with six wedge
shaped buttresses is the only one of its type in the country
and has remained almost intact apart from the loss of its roof
and internal floors. |
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There was a major refurbishment of the keep in
1994 when the roof was replaced and two new floors were installed
and furnishings and attractions added in for visitors to the
castle. |
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A visitor centre was also built in the grounds
near to the castle entrance. There are displays depicting much
of history of the area, and models showing how the present castle,
the previous wooden fort, and the earlier 8th century settlement
would have looked. |
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The former Castle Keeper's Cottage is now the
Castle Tea Rooms. |
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The view from outside the tea rooms shows the
entrance to the castle. The castle moat can be seen behind the
path. |
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The castle appears ghostlike through the trees
in this early morning picture taken last winter. The view is
from Dale Road, which had once been known as Plantation Side,
and was the site of an early brickyard. |
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The stocks can be found in Coronation Park, which
was opened in 1911 to commemorate King George the Fifth's Coronation.
The park is at the bottom of Castle Hill, in front of the Castle. |
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Coronation Park with war memorial. |
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Coronation Park with the castle in the background
on one of the few days we have snow around here. I couldn't resist
putting this one in with that blue sky!! |
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