Kirby Knowle Castle

Kirby Knowle Castle is a large house situated on Whinmoor Hill, dating primarily to the mid-17th century, although with origins in the 16th century. It was extensively restored in 1875 and further altered that same year. The house is constructed of ashlar with Welsh slate roofs.

The main block is a three-story, four-bay structure. A two-story canted bay was added to the right of the main block, which fronts a further two bays that extend rearwards. A block also projects to the north; the rear angle formed by these elements incorporates a five-stage tower. A lower, two-story, one-by-two-bay addition is located at the west end of the main block. The building features a chamfered plinth, double-chamfered mullion-and-transom windows, continuous dripmoulds between floors, and a high, panelled parapet concealing the roof. The parapet includes semi-circular crenellations and obelisk corner finials. The south front has cross windows to the main range and to each face of the canted bay, the latter having openwork parapets and conical roofs. Stacks are positioned at the ends of the blocks, and the tower rises above the roofline.

The rear elevation reveals a lower, quoined section with double-chamfered windows to all but the fifth and lowest stages; the lowest stage has a 2-light 19th-century window above a blocked segmental-arched opening. Double-chamfered windows are present on each floor of the right return, and the parapet is corbelled and features moulded panels divided by baluster-like pilasters with finials, and central semicircular crenellations. The two bays to the right of the tower have cross windows to the ground floor and transomed three-light windows above; the second-floor dripmould has decorative head-stops. The added bay on the right has a cross-window to the ground floor and a round window in a lozenge shape above. The left return has a 19th-century single-story porch with a segment-headed doorway and a corniced parapet, as well as cross windows, heart-shaped openings at eaves level, and two crow-stepped gables. The right return features transomed windows of two, three, and four lights, and a chamfered doorway in the center of the left-hand block.

The interior was not inspected, but the Victoria County History notes the presence of an oak stair in the tower. According to local tradition, a castle was built on the site in the late 13th century by Roger Lascelles, but it burned down around 1568 while owned by Sir John Constable. Reconstruction began again in the 1650s for James Danby, who repaired the older parts and built the south front and west wing, changing the name to New Building. By the late 17th century, the house had passed to the Rokeby family. Stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops are also a feature.