Clifford's Tower

The stunning panoramic views over York make Clifford's Tower the ideal starting point for any visit to the city. There's plenty to discover at this imposing tower standing proud on its high mound. It is almost all that remains of York Castle and has served as a prison and a royal mint in its time.

Scale the steep steps of the ancient mound to enter the forebuilding of the castle. Here, centuries of visitors have waited to be called in to the main tower. Begin your visit on the ground floor, which at one time housed the royal exchequer and treasury.

The stone tower was built in the reign of Henry II. There is a fascinating tactile model in the courtyard, showing how the site once looked. The four-lobed design of the tower is very unusual and may be French in origin. The first floor was used as private apartments and includes a richly decorated chapel.

Climb to the top of the tower to reach the open-air wall walk, once used as a vantage point for castle guards. Now it provides wonderful panoramic views over the city of York, including the majestic York Minster. Built by William the Conqueror to strengthen his military grip on the north, the mound of Clifford's Tower is all that remains of his original castle.

Also imprisoned in the tower was the notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin, captured under the alias 'Palmer.' However, a letter he wrote from the tower allowed his true identity to be revealed through his handwriting, and he was executed in York on 7 April 1739.