The chief amenity York's Castle Precinct affords is the enjoyment of its remarkable group of historic monuments. Many thousands of people experience this each year. In 1999-2000, the Castle Museum had over 326,000 visitors. The number of people drawn to the Precinct - for example, to visit Clifford's Tower - is of course much higher.

This picture is taken from Clifford's Tower, the first building in the country to be taken into the care of the Ancient Monuments division of the Office of Works, a forerunner of English Heritage. The picture shows the south part of the Precinct, and the eighteenth-century buildings within the south bailey of the Castle.

The County Gaol, 1701-5 [centre], later called the Debtors' Prison, is a notable example of early English baroque style. It has a fine clock tower, with its original clock by Terry of York. In the early nineteenth century, after extensions to the prison area, it became quarters for the warders. Demolition was contemplated in the 1930s, but the building was saved for the historical interest of its prison cells. Since 1952 it has housed part of the Castle Museum.

The Court House, 1773-7 [right] by John Carr of York, is now known as the Assize Courts. It has an elaborate portico above which is the figure of Justice with scales and spear. The two cupolas light the fine interiors of the Crown and Civil Courts. These remain in use, though currently [2003] closed for refurbishment.

The Female Prison, 1780-3 [left] mirrors the Assize Courts opposite. It was bought by the City in 1934. Demolition was suggested, then the retention of the facade. However, the whole building was adapted to house the Kirk Collection of Bygones, and it opened as the Castle Museum in 1938. Its display of objects in period rooms and streets has made it world famous. In 1988 it had its 25,000,000 visitor.

The Eye of York(-shire) or 'Eye of the Ridings', is the oval area, part of the Castle Yard levelled in 1777. The names reflect the area's former importance as a centre of county administration.

This picture, taken from the Eye of York, shows the northern part of the Precinct. It is bounded by Tower Street, which curves around Clifford's Tower to the west and north. Castlegate and the spire of St.Mary's are visible. The street has fine eighteenth-century town houses. The spire marks the possible extent of the castle's north bailey, abandoned by the thirteenth century, whose existence was confirmed in 1981.

Clifford's Tower is the second most important vantagepoint for viewing the city. Its parapet walkway is 33ft above the top of the mound, which is 48ft high. The mound and an early castle of timber were begun by William the Conqueror in 1068. The present tower was completed in 1259, as part of Henry III's comprehensive rebuild of the castle in stone.

Two good short guides which summarise Its history are The Royal Castle of York (City of York Leisure Services) and English Heritage's Clifford's Tower and the Castles of York. A full description of the monuments is in RCHM's York Volume V The Defences. English Heritage's Clifford's Tower Conservation Plan will eventually include a newly-researched study of the Castle's history.

Views from the Castle Precinct include St.Deny's church; Leetham's Mill, a fine example of nineteenth century waterside architecture; St.Mary's church and Fairfax House, Castlegate; and the fantastical high Victorian Civil Court in Clifford Street. These can also be seen in the panorama from Clifford's Tower. [People with restricted mobility can experience a fine panorama of the area from Level 2 of the Piccadilly car park.] Views into the Precinct include tho sequence of views down Castlegate, as the whole Precinct gradually unfolds, but the landscaping of the northern part of the Precinct has been incomplete since the 1930s. The proposed shopping development, which begins 3.5 meters from the C18 buildings, would hide the view of the Female Prison from Castlegate. Nor would there be an uninterrupted view of the facade from the top of Clifford's Tower or even from the tower's steps.