From the weekend that will no longer be valid, English Heritage hopes, as the covers come out of a 5 5 million transformation, radically changing the interior of the building. Clifford Tower is what is left of York Castle, which was the center of government in northern England for 500 years, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The 800-year-old landmark has a rich, fascinating and sometimes shocking history. It still dominates York City and has great views, even better than those of York Münster Tower – mainly because you can see Münster. The tower should have been a jewel in the crown of English heritage, but it looked more like a problem, said Jeremy Ashbee, chief realtor. “It was not a good visitor experience,” he said. “The number of visitors was high, but the comments were incredible and no one ever returned. “The people of York did not like it and they said it.” Clifford Tower has been an empty shell since it was destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1684, when it was used as a weapons and gunpowder store. Visitors can reach it by climbing 55 steep stairs on a grassy hill. Previously they were welcomed by an open courtyard and minimal interpretation. A stone circular staircase leads people farther into a wall that was too narrow, said architect Hugh Broughton. “It has amazing views of York, but people found themselves shuffling a single file around it and then coming out of the tower. “They were somewhat excited about the quality of their visit.” On the lost first floor of the tower, air corridors open hidden rooms for the first time since the 17th century, including a 13th-century royal toilet. Photo: Christopher Thomond / The Guardian The whole Clifford’s Tower experience could have been no more than a 10-15 minute diversion if that. Broughton’s answer to Clifford’s Tower’s problem was to install an independent timber structure with elegant air corridors. It opens hidden rooms that have not been seen for 300 years, while a new roof deck allows people to enjoy the view in their free time. New handrails and rest points have been added to the staircase of the tomb. The idea was to still celebrate the building for what it was: a ruin. “We are not pretending to have made Clifford Tower into a royal palace,” Broton said. The stone tower was built in the 13th century for King Henry III, a lover of luxury who was, Ashbee said, “a good man but a bad king.” Henry loved the comforts of his creature, including one that – thanks to renewal – can be seen properly for the first time in centuries. “Only his wooden seat is missing,” said maintenance architect Martin Ashley of Henry’s stunning closet or toilet. “It even has a small closet of cosmetics. “The remarkable thing is that there is a flush mouth because it was a 13th century toilet with automatic flushing.” Ashley said the toilet had been thoroughly cleaned, removing centuries of pollution. There is a new interpretation that tells the story of the tower, including that it was the site of one of the worst anti-Semitic incidents in English history, when, in 1190, members of the York Jewish community committed suicide instead of being killed by the mob. The “gentle touch” approach to Clifford Tower follows an outcry in 2018 over plans – which were later abandoned – to build a visitor center at the base of the lawn. The project was significant, Asby said, as Clifford Tower deserved to be considered one of the most important buildings in England. “The tower is one of those places where we can honestly say it’s great,” said the curator. “It is undoubtedly a place of national and regional importance. Some might even argue, a place of international importance. “It has an important story that needs to be told correctly.”
