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05
Oct
What does the future hold for Knaresborough's historic castle?
Urgency is not a word often used in connection with old ruins – in their dilapidated way they tend to outlast the pressing issues of the day – but there is a growing feeling among some in Knaresborough that time is ticking down for the town’s castle.
That’s because the medieval stronghold is owned by the King through the Duchy of Lancaster, but is run by North Yorkshire Council on a lease that expires in 2032 – just seven years from now.
Time is, of course, relative. Seven years is an age in some contexts – it might be two general elections away – but leases can last for 99 or even 999 years, so in terms of property law, seven years is the blink of an eye.
The sign on Knaresborough Castle's wall explains its ownership.
At a full council meeting two years ago, in November 2023, Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, asked Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, whether the authority had an update on the lease extension.
Cllr Myers said:
We have begun looking at the terms of the lease before entering into discussions with the Duchy.
There are elements to the existing lease which perhaps should be altered and we’re looking at that.
What elements those were is still unknown, but some fear North Yorkshire Council – strapped as it is for cash – could end up just handing back the keys and walking away.
That concern is fuelled by a perceived lack of interest on the part of the council, and as evidence of it, campaigners point to weeds.
Christine Willoughby.
Christine Willoughby, former Harrogate Borough councillor and mayor of Knaresborough, told us:
The worry is that the weeds will proliferate, the pigeons will roost, and the general state of the structure will decline. We’re in danger of losing our unique selling point.
I can’t fault the parks team – they do a very good job of cutting the grass, clearing the leaves and tending the plants – but there doesn’t seem to be anyone at the council tasked with looking after the castle. I’ve suggested they appoint a heritage champion.
Under Harrogate Borough Council, there was regular maintenance every four years, but since it was taken over by North Yorkshire Council, that hasn’t happened.
My fear is that because of budgetary pressures, they feel they can’t do anything. I think they hope that if they ignore it, it’ll go away – but it won’t.
A sign at the castle.
Exasperated by the lack of upkeep, two residents last month launched a petition, 'Save Knaresborough Castle', to help rescue the ruin, which they said “faces threats from neglect and underfunding”. The petition, which urges the council to “prioritise its conservation”, has so far attracted more than 1,500 signatures, making it eligible for discussion by North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.
In tandem with the drive to secure the fabric of the castle’s structure, there are calls for more ambitious projects centred on the castle. Some want to hold more events in the castle yard, such as the Party in the Castle, and point to 2030, when the castle is set to celebrate its 900th anniversary.
A previous party in the castle grounds.
There are also proposals to create a cliff lift up the Nidd Gorge rock face, enabling tourists to visit both the town centre and the riverside without having to negotiate the thigh-busting flight of steps up to the castle.
Both these proposals would require permission from the Duchy of Lancaster, the input of the operator (i.e. North Yorkshire Council or its successor), and in the case of the lift, a sizeable wedge of cash – all of which needs certainty well in advance of the lease expiry.
Renegotiating the lease could potentially take some time, given that it involves the Duchy of Lancaster, North Yorkshire Council, and lawyers – hence the sense of urgency.
The East Gate.
Christine Willoughby thinks the council would be ill-advised to hand back the keys to the Duchy of Lancaster. She told the Stray Ferret:
I think people in the town would be horrified and outraged if North Yorkshire Council walked away, and it would be very bad PR for the council. When they took over from Harrogate Borough Council they said they’d do the best job for us residents, so to shut down such a key attraction would be deeply shocking.
We need to get the lease renegotiated, because nobody will give a grant for restoration when there’s only a seven-year lease.
Christine Willoughby.
Should the unthinkable happen and North Yorkshire Council decide to call it a day due to financial constraints, the Duchy of Lancaster would need to find another operator.
Knaresborough Town Council has been mooted as a possible operator, on the principle that a local body is best placed to look after its own precious asset.
At a meeting of Knaresborough and District Chamber in July, local trader and Chamber member Kelly Teggin asked how Knaresborough Town Council should go about taking over the running of its castle.
Ben Carey of Carey Tourism, the firm paid £20,000 to produce a 17-page report called Connecting Knaresborough, told her it would be possible, but added:
The fact is, North Yorkshire Council doesn’t have much interest in running a castle, but I would caution the town council against taking over a medieval castle whose fabric hasn’t been touched for 42 years. I’d recommend getting English Heritage on board.
A flag is still flown at the ruin.
The Stray Ferret contacted English Heritage to ask if it might be interested in taking on the running of the ruin, but we have yet to receive a reply.
We also asked North Yorkshire Council whether it intended extending its lease on the castle beyond 2032, but a spokesperson told us:
On this occasion we will not be responding.
Finally, we asked the Duchy of Lancaster whether it was in discussions with North Yorkshire or any other body about the running of the castle beyond 2032.
A spokesperson for the Duchy told us:
While we would not comment on specific discussions with individual parties, please be assured that the Duchy’s priority is to safeguard the castle’s future and to support its continued role at the heart of the community.
Should there be any public developments or decisions regarding the castle, we will of course provide an update.
In the meantime, residents’ questions remain unanswered, and the clock continues to tick on Knaresborough Castle’s future.
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