Danby Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

Danby Castle stands on the southern slope of the Esk valley, about a kilometre and a quarter south-east of the village of Danby, at the foot of a spur of Danby High Moor, in the heart of the North York Moors. It is a quadrangular sandstone castle: four ranges arranged around a courtyard, with rectangular towers set diagonally at the corners. The site was partly dismantled and then converted into a farm. The south and north ranges, which housed the great hall and the private apartments, survive along with three of the four corner towers, while the south-west corner and the west range have disappeared to make way for farm buildings. The east range was replaced in the 18th century by a more modest barn. The interest of the place lies both in its regular plan, typical of the residential castles of the late Middle Ages in northern England, and in the continuity of its use: the great chamber on the upper floor, known as the "Courtroom", still hosts the sittings of the Danby Court Leet, a traditional manorial court. The castle is also now a wedding venue.