Clifford's Tower and it's views, York Castle

- York Castle Museum, Crown Court, Tower Street, York & Selby Magistrates Court

Clifford's Tower is the most wellknown ruins of the destroyed York Castle, originally built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to dominate the former Viking city of York. The fortified castle housed prisons, law courts and other buildings. Clifford's Tower is a national monument, and was the keep of York Castle. It stands on a hill one block from the river and is a popular tourist attraction that offers views of the city while you walk 360 degrees on top of its walls. It was the place for the Siege of York in 1644 and the Jewish massacre in 1190. The first floor includes a richly decorated chapel, once an apartment. The tower was originally built in the middle ages, but the current structure is a reconstruction form 1643, and already in 1684 large parts were destroyed in an explosion. The purpose of the tower is unsure, but many historicans believe it was built for the Royal family, but they rarely visited the tower so it was used to store valuable goods. It is believed to have been designed by the same architect as Westminster Abbey in London, Master Henry de Reyns. York Castle Museum is housed in former prison building (opposite the tower), built in the 18th century in neo-classical style. Here you find a recreated Victorian street, a history of toys, an exhibition about WWI and a display about life in prison. Right next is the Crown Court, from the 18th century built in similar style. The reconstructed Raindale Mill faces the river.

The skyline of York is completely dominated by historical buildings. The tallest buildling in York since many centuries is the famous gothic cathedral York Minster, at a height of 61m to the top of the tower. St Mary's Castlegate Church is the second tallest structure (spire height 47m). Almost all other tall structures are churches, except for the York & Selby Magistrates Court. Clifford's Tower itself is not high, but notable as a landmark because it lies on a steep hill. No highrises have been built in York's city center, and no building is allowed to be higher then the cathedral. The Yorkshire Wheel was a modern 54m high ferris wheel, operating at two different locations 2006-2014. For more views, visit the skyline section.

Clifford's Tower 01 Clifford's Tower 02 Cliffords Tower 03 Cliffords Tower 04 Cliffords Tower 05 Cliffords Tower 06 Cliffords Tower 07 Cliffords Tower 08 Cliffords Tower 09 York Castle Museum York Castle and Crown Court York Castle York Castle and Crown Court York Castle model in Clifford Tower Views from Cliffords Tower 01 - York Castle Views from Cliffords Tower 02 - Tower St Views from Cliffords Tower 04 - York & Selby Magistrates Court Views from Cliffords Tower 05 - River Ouse Views from Cliffords Tower 06 - Hiton York Hotel Views from Cliffords Tower 07 Views from Cliffords Tower 08 Views from Cliffords Tower 09 - St Mary's Church, York Minster Views from Cliffords Tower- St Mary's Church, York Minster Views from Cliffords Tower - York Minster, The Parish of All Saints Views from Cliffords Tower 11 Stairway to Cliffords Tower Views from Cliffords Tower 13