The Secrets of Appleby Castle

Discovering the Secrets of Appleby Castle

Appleby Castle is one of the few Norman castles that have been continuously occupied since its construction in the 12th century.

The deep ditches of the first earthwork, dug in around 1095, remain.

Set within 25 acres of enclosed parkland, the castle lies on the edge of the Lake District and features sandstone walls beneath a pitched slate and lead roof.

The lower part of the stone Keep may date from around 1110, when the first powerful local Norman Lord, Ranulf le Meschin, founded ‘New Appleby’ on the slopes between the castle and the River Eden.

Since then, the castle has been strengthened by many of its owners.

It needed to be because the Eden Valley was the scene of repeated conflicts between the English and Scots.

In 1174, the King of Scotland captured Appleby: following its recapture, the Keep was raised higher, and a stone curtain wall replaced the wooden palisades of the first Castle.

A gateway in this wall, guarded by a portcullis, stood near the stone Great Hall and may still be seen. Also visible is a Round Tower, built around 1250, that overlooks the approach from town.

In the 1450s, the eastern range of buildings was extended again, and much of this work, too, remains today.

Ownership

Several Kings were also Lords of Appleby – Henry II, Richard I, John, and Edward IV, among them. King Richard III, when Duke of Gloucester, held the whole Lordship of Westmorland in the 1470s.

Other Lords of the Castle also featured in English history. Hugh de Morville was one of four assassins of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170.

Robert, the first Lord Clifford and former Earl Marshal and Lord High Admiral, was one of the leaders who fell at Bannockburn.

Many other Cliffords achieved fame during the period for which they were Lords of Appleby and hereditary High Sheriffs of Westmorland.

Perhaps the most remarkable of them was Lady Anne Clifford, born in 1590 and the only surviving child of George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland, sea captain and champion to Queen Elizabeth I.

Passed over as inheritor of the family estates, she challenged her father’s Will, defying King James I to his face.

When Appleby and other Clifford Castles eventually came to her, she challenged Cromwell to stop rebuilding them.

She dominated the Westmorland scene for nearly thirty years, restoring Churches and Castles and deciding who would be Member of Parliament and Mayor for Appleby!

Today, the Grade I-listed castle is set within 25 acres of parkland and includes 23 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, a gym, a sauna and a hot tub.

The property also includes a round tower, a Norman keep and three cottages.

The estate also has fishing rights on both sides of the River Eden, where salmon, trout and grayling thrive.

Where to Stay

If you are looking for a pet-friendly holiday cottage within easy access to Appleby-in-Westmorland, ring 07785944194 or enquire here.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) What is Appleby Castle and where is it located?

Appleby Castle is a historic Norman castle and mansion house overlooking the River Eden in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, England.

2) How old is Appleby Castle?

The castle dates back to the early 12th century, with its impressive keep, known as Caesar’s Tower, built around 1170, making it over 850 years old.

3) Who was Lady Anne Clifford, and why is she important to Appleby Castle?

Lady Anne Clifford was a famous owner and restorer of Appleby Castle in the 17th century, known for her extensive renovations and for preserving the castle’s heritage.

4) Can visitors tour inside Appleby Castle?

Yes, guided tours of Appleby Castle are available by appointment, and visitors can explore historic rooms, gardens, and climb Caesar’s Tower for fantastic views.

5) What makes Appleby Castle unique among English castles?

Appleby Castle is one of the few Norman castles in England that has been continuously lived in and features an intact Norman keep plus centuries of rich history, from Roman times to the present.