Mowbray Castle

Mowbray Castle in Grewelthorpe (North Yorkshire, England) is no real fortress. It is a deliberately romantic ruin, built in the 18th century as an eye-catcher in Hackfall woods beside the village, and it remains one of the most photogenic corners of the estate.

What is Mowbray Castle?

It is a folly: a garden building designed to be looked at, not defended. Its national listing dates it to about 1750 and links it to William Aislabie, who owned the estate. The Historic England register of parks and gardens instead points to the 1760s, so treat the date as approximate. The castle is Grade II listed (entry from 1987).

The structure has an oval plan and a large pointed-arch opening at its centre, in a deliberately gothic style. It is now ruinous, which suits its original purpose well.

What is the setting?

The castle stands in Hackfall, a wooded valley north-east of Grewelthorpe. Aislabie turned it into a picturesque landscape by channelling streams, forming pools and cascades, planting trees and adding more buildings. Today it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ancient woodland looked after by the Woodland Trust, covering roughly 45 to 48 hectares.

J. M. W. Turner painted Hackfall, and views of it decorated the Wedgwood dinner service made in 1773 for Catherine the Great. Nearby you can also find Fisher's Hall (Grade II) and The Ruin on Mowbray Point (Grade II*), whose terrace looks out towards the North York Moors and across to Mowbray Castle.

How do you get there?

Drive to Grewelthorpe from Ripon or Masham. The southern entrance to the wood is about 200 metres from the village on the road towards Masham, and there is parking at Hackfall. Bus 159 between Ripon and Leyburn usually runs three times a day and stops in Grewelthorpe, but check the timetable before you travel.

What should you prepare for?

• Paths are steep, partly stepped and muddy in wet weather, so wear sturdy footwear.
• The terrain is not suitable for wheelchairs.
• There are no toilets on site. The village hall in Grewelthorpe has one, available only when its community cafe is open.
• The ruin is fragile, so do not climb on the walls.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are best: fresh greenery in spring, rich colour in autumn. After rain the streams and cascades look their best, though paths are then at their hardest. Allow two to three hours for an unhurried walk taking in several of the buildings.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mowbray Castle a real castle? No. It is an 18th-century ornamental building imitating a ruin, placed for scenic effect.

Can you go inside? It is a ruin set within woodland open to walkers. You view it mostly from outside, and climbing the walls is unsafe.

Is there parking and a toilet? There is parking at Hackfall. The woods have no toilets; the nearest is in Grewelthorpe village hall, open only during cafe hours.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, if they can manage winding, steep paths. Pushchairs will struggle.