This romantic castle with stunning views over Conisbrough, inspired Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe and still fires the imagination today. With floors and roof restored in the lofty circular keep you can fully appreciate the magnificence of the original 12th century building. Delve into the medieval world of Lord and Lady de Warenne, and enjoy the grassy areas around the castle walls for games and picnics.
An earthwork fortification is probably built by William I's trusted supporter William of Warenne soon after the Norman Conquest.
Warenne's great-granddaughter Isabel marries Hamelin Plantagenet, half-brother of Henry II. He builds the existing castle of high-quality stone, in an unusual and advanced design.
King John stays at the castle.
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, besieges and captures the castle.
On the death of the last Earl de Warenne, the castle becomes part of the estate of the Dukes of York.
Richard of Conisbrough is executed for plotting against Henry V. Richard's widow lives in the castle until her death.
The castle falls out of use and becomes ruinous and indefensible. It therefore avoids damage during the English Civil War.
Sir Walter Scott uses Conisbrough – which he believes is Anglo-Saxon – in his novel Ivanhoe, making it famous worldwide.
English Heritage installs a new visitor centre, wall-projected talking characters, audio-visuals and graphic-novel display panels telling the story of Hamelin, the castle's builder.