Five Star Stays | History of Scarborough Castle

19th April 2024

Scarborough Castle stands on a massive promontory of rock that rises above the North Sea. Its 12th-century great tower is the centrepiece of a royal castle begun by Henry II. It became one of the greatest royal fortresses in England and figured prominently in national events during the Middle Ages. Its buildings are mostly relatively recent additions to a site which, as a natural fortress, has been intermittently inhabited and fortified for nearly 3,000 years.

People first settled on this cragy headland back in the Iron Age, it was also once a Roman signal station and the site of a medieval chapel. In the 12th Century the castle entered its heyday when it was developed by Henry II and King John. Most of the castle is now a ruin, this is mostly due to the action that it saw during some of England’s most defining battles. The castle enjoys the most wonderful views to both the north and south of Scarborough. It is the only place in town where you can enjoy views of both sides of this seaside town. The castle sits on a 16 acre site and you can walk all the way around the walls with different parts to explore along the way. There is also a small exhibition with artefacts from the castle’s past.