From the BBC Website, 24th January 2005

Engineers abseil to repair castle

Repairs are being carried out at Knaresborough Castle after movement in the soil and rock which supports the 800-year-old building.
A survey has found that work is needed on the cliff that supports the castle, high above the River Nidd in North Yorkshire.
Specialist engineers will abseil down the cliff as they stabilise the site using rock bolts and soil nails.
It is expected the job will take three to four weeks to complete.
"Knaresborough Castle is a tourist treasure among many tourist destinations in our country," said Councillor Pat Jones from Harrogate Council which is responsible for the castle.
"So we apologise for any inconvenience that these works will cause to both residents and visitors."
For safety reasons, the road which runs below the castle beside the river has been closed for a short stretch and decking has been put up to protect pedestrians.



I visited Knaresborough in October 2004, so I can picture the place well.

The local website is http://www.knaresborough.co.uk/castle/

The Keep

Another view of the Keep

The gate towers

I have a number of old postcards of Knaresborough Castle too, and some are below.

.. and a couple of old prints of Knaresborough Castle, the first from 1846 and the second from 1860.

An old print of Knaresborough Castle from 1786, taken from Grose's Antiquities. (courtesy of www.antiqueprints.com)

From the BBC website, 14th June 2007

Council considers work on castle

Plans for conservation works costing over £2.5m to maintain Knaresborough Castle have been drawn up by Harrogate Borough Council. Along with work to safeguard the ancient monument there are plans to extend and refit the Castle Museum and improve access to the grounds.

Before any proposals reach fruition, funding must be secured for the plans. Knaresborough Town Council, the Duchy of Lancaster and English Heritage would all be consulted about the works.

Councillor Pat Jones who oversees Cultural Services said: "Knaresborough Castle and Museum is the centrepiece of Knaresborough. It has great historic significance and is an oasis of peace and calm in an urban environment. We look forward to being able to work with partners and the local community to secure its future as an historical monument and leisure setting."

Another old postcard of Knaresborough Castle, recently purchased.

Another worrying report on vandalism at a castle.


From the Knaresborough Post, 2nd May 2008

Fears as yobs throw stones down from castle top

Knaresborough Police and Harrogate Borough Council are concerned about continuing vandalism around Knaresborough Castle. The vandalism started with graffiti and for the past four weeks there have been incidences of vandals throwing huge stones down from the castle top.

Last weekend they rolled a huge stone from the castle wall down the moat and when it stopped rolling they climbed down and pushed it again. It took two council workmen to carry the stone away, after it ended up on the footpath in the area of the toilets. Youths had also been into the moat itself and removed a number of stones from the dry stone walling.

A council spokesman said: “This is very dangerous vandalism. The council believes it is the same gang carrying out this vandalism and would urge anyone with any information to contact Knaresborough Police.”

On Saturday, April 26, at 8.15pm, three youths were reported dismantling a wall at Knaresborough Castle and throwing the boulders over into the moat. They then made off in the direction of Castle Yard. The youths were described as about 16 years old and wearing hoodies. A member of the public contacted the police immediately, but the youths had gone before the police arrived.

Polite words fail me.