Brough Castle

Pictures taken 31 August 2003
A view from what used to be the entry into Brough Castle, showing part of the panoramic view the castle commanded	The interior of the castle grounds, showing the large cobbled yard, and what remains of some of the original rooms - this is looking from the inside, generally towards the tower in the first picture (which is probably slightly off screen to the left).
Standing in approximately the same location of the first image, looking to the left, the main keep of the castle	The view the castle commands, taken from behind the keep shown in the previous picture - the tree in the dip is off to my right.

 

Brough Castle is built on the site of a Roman Fort (Verterae, the outlines of which are still just visible), to the south of the town of Brough, and approached through the village of Church Brough, the Castle is undergoing some consolidation work under the care of English Heritage.

Built around 1090 by King William II the Castle has a chequered and bloody history. In 1136 it was seized by the Scots as was Appleby Castle nearby. Both were held by the Scots until 1157 when they were retaken by the English and given by the Crown to Hugh de Morville, though repossessed in 1173. The Scots almost destroyed the Castle in 1174 but between 1179 and 1190 Theobold de Valoines carried out much needed restoration work to improve its withered defences.Thereafter, the Castle stayed in Crown control until 1203 when King John gave it to Robert de Vipont.

The Castle passed into the Clifford family's hands through marriage in 1269 and was occupied by members of the family until 1521 when it was extensively damaged by fire. Lady Anne Clifford set about the restoration of the castle in 1660-61. On her death in 1679 it passed to her grandson Thomas Tufton who took stone from its walls, to be used on the improvements being made to Appleby Castle. In 1763 Brough Castle was partly demolished.

There is still enough to see to make it worthwhile taking a close look, and the Castle makes a striking sight when seen from the A66 road.

(text copied from The Edge Vacation and Holiday Guide)

Click "Next" for pictures of Brough Castle taken on 29 May 2004.