Overview
The first recorded Danby Castle was already standing in 1242 but had become ruinous by 1336. The present four-sided castle dates mainly from the late fourteenth century and later became partly a farmhouse, while its former great chamber continued in use as a local court room.
Who built and held it
Records first mention a castle at Danby in 1242. Local tradition says fire destroyed that early building and its stone helped build St Hilda's Church; the present castle was then raised late in the fourteenth century.
Attack, change and use
Work in the middle and late sixteenth century changed the south wing, when Catherine Parr may have lived here. Much of the rest became ruinous, but one range was turned into a farmhouse and its great chamber became a court room.
What survives
Sandstone ranges and corner towers still form a square around a courtyard. The converted south-east part, deep cellar, court room, two-storey barn and single-storey cart shed all show later working uses within the medieval plan.
Why it mattered
Danby preserves a rare joined story of castle, farm and local law. The court of the manor still meets in the former great chamber to manage shared land.
History checked 16 August 2026 against the named sources below.
Places near here
- Danby Castle: a quadrangular castlecastleunder 0.1 miles
- Castle Intake Plantationforestunder 0.1 miles
- Cairnfield and ring cairn on Danby Rigg, 330m south west of Danby Castlecastle0.2 miles
- Cleveland Waywalk0.2 miles
- Duck Bridgebuilding0.3 miles
- Danby Cricket Clubattraction0.5 miles
- The Water Bailiffviewpoint0.6 miles
- Mapped sculpture in North Yorkshireattraction0.6 miles
- Weird sculpture at Danby Lodgemonument0.6 miles
- Wicker sculpture by the river at the Moors National Park Centre, Danbymonument0.7 miles
- Children's playground — North Yorkshireattraction0.7 miles
- Crow Woodforest0.7 miles
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