Situated in Tower St. York, this 11th century Tower is all that remains of the fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1086. The site was originally a Roman burial place. William had a large mound (Motte) constructed on the banks of the river Ouse and built a wooden castle at the top. Just over 100 years later, amid riots in York when a group of Jews took refuge in the tower, it was burned to the ground. A gruesome legend exists about this incident, it is said that the reddish vein running through the brickwork on the outside of the tower, was dyed by the blood of the Jewish victims as they were mercilessly slaughtered.
A second timber construction was erected but, early in the 13th century, this tower was blown down by a devastating gale. In 1245 Henry III ordered the tower to be rebuilt and strengthened. Consequently, a quatrefoil tower of four overlapping circles resembling a four leafed clover was built, as weel as a curtain wall with semi circular towers and two gateways built around the bailey of York Castle. The stome building was completed in 1313, but less than fifty years later the castle cracked from top to bottom when part of the mound sunsided into the most. In 1322, Roger de Clifford was hanged by chains from the wall of the tower for opposing Edward II, and henceforth it was called Cliffords Tower.
What remains today dates largely from the 13th century, albeit with some later alterations. As weel as the tower parts of the curtain wall around the old castle bailey still remain. That unusual shape of the motte was as a result of flooing in the Middle Ages.
Entrance to the tower is througha forebuilding, located at the juncture of two adjoining foils. The purple coloured stone dates from the 17th century, but there is evidence of the earlier building where the east wall joins the tower. Part of the archway and the stone bench date from the 13th century, as do the corbet stones that supported the original first floor timber joists. The room above the entrance was used as a chapel, and the portcullis was operated from the second floor, passing right through the chapel.
Spiral staircases, on either side of the archway entrance to the tower, lead to the upper floors and the wall walk. Looking over the area of the castle bailey, it is possible to see the three buildings dating from the 18th century that survived - the Debtors prison, the Female prison and the Assize Court.
The tower is about a mile from York station and well served by numerous bus routes.The average length of time a visit takes is 30 minutes.
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Matthew Normans account of his recent visit to Bovey Castle restaurant. Bovey Castle is in Dartmoor National Park
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Bradgate Park Leicestershire
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Bradgate Park in Leicestershire is a well known and much loved visitor attraction. The Folly in the Park can be seen for miles around and the park is typical of an English country park where urbanites can escape the hurly burly of city life and breath som
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Brighton & Hove has always done things differnetly. Rather than using a cathedral as it's focal point this city on South England's Coast has the Royal Pavillion, built in 1815.
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Bristol a city built on its maritime past. An article by Jenny Spetter.
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A history of Cliffords Tower for the English Travel Guide. An essential guide to this English Heritage attraction in York.
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Croyde North Devon Village not far from Barnstable
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Derby is compact city at the centre of England, full of history, art and – reputedly – ghosts
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England has seen a high rise in tourism. Its main cities as well as its main coastal resorts have all benefited from this high rise...
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England has some of the best traveling the world. This travel guide highlights all the best travel resources from travel associated with the countryside to city travel. Mix with English people, English folklore and travel in one of the finest....
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English Travel Guide.com has been designed to provide a definitive easy to use travel companion for all your English Travel needs.
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English Travel Guide and Jurys
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English Travel Guide, the fastest growing Travel and Leisure website for England welcomes Jurys hotels to its growing family. Coupled to the English Travel Guides expanding list of attractions and features the leisure traveller and tourist can plan their
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Cornwalls oldest surviving Tin mine, now a popular tourist attraction.
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The effects on travel in England of a few heavy thunderstorms.
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HOLIDAY HOMES WITH A DIFFERENCE
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An apparently normal family will arrive by open boat at a rented holiday cottage in Britain to find there is no hot water or electricity... and the only lighting is a box of candles. Amazingly, they’ll be delighted.
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London Tourist Information
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London the capital city and major tourist attraction. A first stop on any travel, this major cosmopolitan city of the English speaking world. Population of just under eight million. This guide to the various sites to see is a must read in conjunction with
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Matthew Norman s review on Luc s Brasserie London EC3.
Sunday Telegraph Magazine 21 November 2004.
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North York Moors National Park
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A Visit to the North York Moors National Park
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Elfreda Powell article from The Sunday Telegraph magazine 28 November 2004
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Information on Penzance including hotels restaurants, attractions, museums and local points of interest. This market town is the Capital of west Cornwall and is a popular tourist attraction.
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One of the wonders of the world. This ancient stone circle is managed by Englsh Heritage and is truely a must see site for any visitor to the UK.
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Set in the far North Eastern corner of England this beautiful county borders Scotland to the North and the Industrial North East to the South. It has been designated an area of outstanding beauty.
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Rye one of the Cinque port towns on the Sussex
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The Battle of Hastings 1066
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Fought between Harold, King of England and the Norman French under William at Battle in East Sussex. The battle occured on October 14th 1066. The Battle Abbey near Battle provides information on the event.
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The Lion King - Lyceum Theatre
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Story of the Disney musical the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London. Search London Theatres for bookings.
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Plan a visit to this spectacular forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility and wonderful scenery of this exquisite forest.
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Article on The Close, the Organs and Bells of Winchester Cathedral
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