Slingsby Castle

Slingsby Castle stands as ruins in the village of Slingsby, North Yorkshire. The site began as a licensed fortified house in the 14th century, granted to Ralph Hastings. Later, William Hastings secured a similar licence in 1474. The castle once had a wide moat, parts of which remain, though some sections were filled in over time. Charles Cavendish purchased the ruins in 1594, and his son demolished the old structure to build a new house. That house was slighted during the English Civil War, leaving only fragments behind. The surviving ruins form a rectangular plan, measuring about 30 metres by 20 metres. Limestone walls and corner turrets mark the remains, with window openings showing decorative quoins and pediments. The basement once held a vaulted kitchen and two cellars, while the main floor likely contained a great hall and chambers. The site is recognised as a scheduled monument and a grade II listed building, though it is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. Visitors find the ruins scattered across a quiet village setting. The remaining walls and turrets give a sense of the castle’s original layout. The stonework, though weathered, still shows fine details like cornices and decorative bands. The site offers a glimpse of medieval and early modern history in a peaceful North Yorkshire landscape.