Ruins Of Wressle Castle

The ruins of Wressle Castle are a castle dating back to around 1380, with later alterations and repairs, originally built for Sir Henry Percy. The structure is constructed from limestone ashlar, with some brick repair work. Only the south range survives, encompassing two towers flanking a central rectangular range. The original hall was located in the west range, the gatehouse in the east, and a north service range completed the layout.

The south facade features a three-storey, six-bay central range, with a three-storey, two-bay tower to the left and a four-storey, two-bay tower to the right. The towers project slightly, and their internal returns are defined by square turrets. A double-chamfered plinth runs along the base. The left tower has a blocked central square-headed two-light mullioned window, with a blocked lancet to its right. The first floor features a tall, empty window opening with a decorative angel corbel supporting what was originally an oriel, alongside a two-light trefoiled transomed window. The second floor has stepped-in two-light trefoiled transomed windows. An octagonal turret is located on the north-west corner.

The main range exhibits irregular window placement within its flanking turrets. Ground-floor openings are blocked. A square-headed doorway is present, with a trefoiled single-light window above it. Other windows include round-headed designs with single, two, three, and five lights. The first floor contains a tall window of three round-headed lights to the left, and a group of three two-light trefoiled transomed windows with quatrefoils piercing through two storeys in the centre. To the right are paired square-headed single-light windows and a single-light trefoiled window. The second floor has a single-light trefoiled window to the left and two square-headed single-light windows to the right. An octagonal chimney with an elaborate cap is situated on the right turret.

The right tower displays paired square-headed single-light windows flanked by single-light trefoiled windows, all blocked on the ground floor. The first floor showcases paired cinquefoiled windows with inverted trefoiled lights flanked by niches in the spandrels. The second and third floors each have paired trefoiled windows. An eaves string course and plain coped parapets are present throughout. The rear wall of the central range mirrors the front facade.

Internally, some four-centred-arched fireplaces remain; however, the elaborate plasterwork that was once a notable feature of the castle was destroyed by a fire in 1796. The remainder of the castle was demolished between 1648 and 1650. The site is designated as an Ancient Monument and is included in archaeological records (Neave, 1984) as well as architectural surveys (Pevsner, 1972).