Cawood: Castle History on the River Ouse

Cawood brings together the history of Cawood Castle, historic buildings and archaeological features, and the landscape along the River Ouse. The Wolsey Walk is another highlight: a circular route that starts in Cawood and is approximately five miles long. It is estimated to take around two to two and a half hours. If you are looking for a hotel in Cawood, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on the castle’s history, historic buildings or the walking route.

Cawood Castle and its history

From the 13th century, Cawood Castle was the principal palace of the Archbishops of York until Parliament ordered its destruction in 1646. Cardinal Wolsey is also connected with the place: he was arrested for treason at Cawood Castle on the orders of Henry VIII. The Cawood Sword adds an archaeological find to this history. It dates from 1100, was discovered in the River Ouse near Cawood Castle in the late 19th century, and is one of only five swords of this type to have been found. The sword’s date and the much later period in which it was found are two distinct historical details.

Waterways around the castle

Cawood Castle stands on the banks of the tidal River Ouse, one kilometre downstream from its confluence with the River Wharfe. The Bishop Dike runs immediately beside the castle. It was originally a navigable canal connecting Sherburn in Elmet with the river. The grounds of Cawood Castle also include an important historic ferry crossing on the road from Sherburn in Elmet to York. This gives three distinct points of interest: the tidal river beside the castle, the former canal, and the historic crossing on the road to York.

Church, gardens and archaeological features

The Church of All Saints dates from the 12th to the 15th century and was partly rebuilt and restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its exterior walls are made of dressed Magnesian limestone blocks. The building comprises a nave with a single aisle, a south porch and a southwest tower. This gives an overview of both the materials and basic layout, as well as later alterations to the church.

At Castle Garth, earthworks preserve fragments of the late medieval gardens of the former residence. The garden design included symmetrically arranged ornamental ponds and former orchards; the site was enclosed by a now-dry ditch. The garden remains therefore offer a different historical perspective from the church’s architecture or the castle’s history.

Kensbury Hall, also known as Keesbury Hall, is considered to have been the seat of the de Cawood family. The Kensbury monument comprises an enclosed or moated site, an adjoining fishpond and medieval field remains in the form of ridge-and-furrow features. These characteristics describe both a built site and traces of earlier field use.

Wolsey Walk and historic market gardens

The Wolsey Walk is a circular route that starts in Cawood, passes Cawood Castle and takes in several notable sights. Its approximate length of five miles and estimated duration of two to two and a half hours give you a useful guide for planning your time; both figures are estimates. The route adds a walk with its own timeframe to the history of the place.

Historic horticulture is also part of Cawood’s local history: gooseberries, rhubarb, celery and tomatoes were grown in the market gardens. These four crops offer a distinct point of interest alongside the castle, church, and surviving garden and field features.

Discover more destinations: Threshfield, Bainbridge, Norton, Carlton Miniott, Hovingham, Thirsk, Dalton, Alne.

For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.