Description

WRESSLE BREIGHTON ROAD
SE 73 SW
(west side, off)

5/145 Ruins of Wressle Castle
16.12.66
GV
Castle. c1380 with later alterations and repairs. For Sir Henry Percy.
Limestone ashlar with brick repair work. The south range only survives,
consisting of 2 towers flanking a central rectangular range. The original
hall formed the west range, and the gatehouse the east range, while the
rectangle was completed by a north service range. South facade: central 3-
storey, 6-bay range with 3-storey, 2-bay tower to left and 4-storey, 2-bay
tower to right. The towers break forward slightly and their inner returns
are occupied by square turrets. Double chamfered plinth. Left tower:
blocked central square-headed 2-light mullioned window with blocked lancet
to right. First floor: tall empty window opening with fine angel corbel to
support original oriel. 2-light trefoiled transomed window to right.
Second floor: stepped-in and with 2-light trefoiled transomed windows.
Octagonal turret to north-west corner. Main range: irregular fenestration
with square-headed slit windows to flanking turrets. Ground floor: all
openings blocked. Square-headed doorway with trefoiled single-light window
above. Otherwise round-headed windows of single, 2, 3 and 5 lights. First
floor: tall window of 3 round-headed lights to left. Three trefoiled 2-
light transomed windows with quatrefoils pierced through spandrels, rising
through 2 storeys, to centre. Pair of square-headed single-light windows
and a single-light trefoiled window to right. Second floor: single-light
trefoiled window to left, 2 square-headed single-light windows to right.
Octagonal chimney with elaborate cap to right turret. Right tower: pair of
square-headed single-light windows flanked by single-light trefoiled
windows, all blocked. First floor: 2-pairs of cinquefoiled windows with
inverted trefoiled light flanked by niches to spandrels. Second and third
floors each have paired trefoiled windows. Eaves string course and plain
coped parapets throughout. Rear wall of central range similar to front
facade. Interior: some 4-centred-arched fireplaces remain but the lavish
plasterwork for which the castle was renowned was destroyed in a fire of
1796. The rest of the castle was demolished in 1648-50. Scheduled as an
Ancient Monument. Neave D, "Wressle Castle", Archaeological Journal, Vol
141, 1984, pp 58-60. Pevsner N, Yorkshire: 'York and the East Riding, 1972.

Listing NGR: SE7066031547

External Links

• Historic England Listing

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6