Richmond Castle

Why I nominated this site: The castle is the oldest existing stone-built castle in England, built in 1071 and was in use by the military until the end of WW2. Lord Baden-Powell lived in the grounds from 1908-1910. King William the Lion was imprisoned here as was David II.

Building of the castle began in 1071 on land gifted to Alan the Red of Brittany by his kinsman William the Conqueror. Richmond grew under its protection.

The best preserved part of the castle is the Keep which was started by Conan the Little, Earl of Richmond in the third quarter of the 12th century and finished by Henry II (1154 -1189 ). Its walls are eleven feet thick and it towers more than 100 feet above the town.