West Ayton, Yorkshire….
Hiding behind the twin villages of West and East Ayton are the ruins of Ayton Castle. Not on many maps (apart from the OS maps) this small but magnificent castle was built in the 1400’s by Sir Ralph Evre. The style is rather unusual for a castle so far south of the Scottish Border…whilst referred to as a castle it is really a fortified house, a style known as a Pele Tower. The style was used by wealthy Farmers and Families as protection for their homes and Livestock against both marauding Scottish Clans or raiding Border Reivers.
Ayton Castle also guards another secret, the wonderful Nature Reserve of Forge Valley Woodlands. Mixed woods, wildflowers and the Yorkshire River Derwent all surrounded by lush meadows.
5th June
(C) David Oakes 2015
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 