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Nottingham Castle

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NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

 

 

Only the gatehouse, outer walls and caves below give a hint of the traditional 'castle' visitors often expect to find.  Today the Ducal Mansion built in the 17th Century stands on the site with remnants of previous castle walls throughout the grounds.  This was the first provincial Museum of Fine Art opened in 1878 and continues to house it's own collection and travelling exhibitions.

 

The site is currently owned by Nottingham City Council.  Opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm October to February and from March to September 10am - 5pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing time).  Entrance fee includes entry to the nearby Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard, and costs £5.50 for adults, £4.00 for concessions (over 60, under 16 or student) or a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £15.  Group rates are available - 1 free ticket with every 10 purchased.

 

Cave tours beneath the castle including Mortimer's Hole run from Tuesday to Saturday at 11am, 2pm & 3pm.  Some tours will run on a Sunday during the summer months.  The tour costs an additional £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for concessions.  Tours are dependent upon weather conditions and other factors and may not always run.  Tickets cannot be booked in advance and are sold on a first come first served basis on the day. The route is strenuous with steep steps and is not suitable for everyone.

 

Visit the official website at http:www.mynottingham.gov.uk/nottinghamcastle for more information.

 

Snippets of History

  • First built 1068 by William the Conqueror.

  • The remains of the stone Middle Bailey built by Henry II are still visible at the site.

  • In 1191 Prince John seized Nottingham Castle.  Returning from the crusades King Richard I travelled to Nottingham in 1194 to recapture the only of the castles held by John's supporters that would not surrender.

  • Henry III carried out extensive work on the castle to improve defences and make it a suitable royal residence.

  • Supporters of Edward III crept into the castle to overthrow Roger Mortimer who had ruled England with Queen Isabella as his mistress after murdering Edward II.

  • King David II of Scotland is believed to have been imprisoned at Nottingham Castle.

  • Edward IV created a new Royal Palace at the Castle.

  • In 1651 the Parliamentary Council ordered the slighting of the Castle and it was demolished from within.

  • In 1663 William Cavendish purchased the Castle from the Duke of Buckingham and built the current Ducal Mansion.

  • When the current Duke opposed the Reform Bill in 1831 a large crowd smashed through fencing when the gates would not give and looted the building then set it on fire.

  • In 1875 it was leased by the Council and the architect T. C. Hine worked on it's restoration.

  • In 1878 it was opened as the first provincial Museum of Fine Art.

 

 

Nottingham Castle on Film

 

The set of Nottingham Castle in the 1922 film Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks covered 10 acres and was 90ft high built at a cost of $250,000.  Made from rocks, chicken wire and plaster it was open being lit by the sun and reflectors. The drawbridge was powered by a gasoline engine.

 

Alnwick Castle was used as the exterior of Nottingham Castle in the television series Robin of Sherwood.

 

 

A selection of old postcards featuring Nottingham Castle

 

 

Maps, Illustrations & Newspaper Articles

 

 

 

 

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