Community Castle

Yorkshire is a county of castles. From Middleham to Skipton, Richmond to Ripley, bold buildings rise from the landscape: each designed to shelter and protect its community. The castle keep, with distinct buildings for diverse functions, is an excellent model for a community hub.

Sessay Community Castle combines practicality and accessibility - generous facilities, carefully considered routes and economically designed spaces - with a vibrant sense of fun. The building’s terracotta-faced keep and turrets accommodate distinct and flexible rooms for a range of activities. It's a flexible, modern castle designed to foster an energetic and engaged community.

The castle's key interior space, the Great Hall, is oriented towards a stage, with the local scenery creating a dramatic backdrop. The hall's large glazed doors can be flung open to enjoy performances from outside, or to watch matches from the shelter of the hall over a nice cup of tea.

The castle's broad external staircase provides raked seating and access to the raised garden and light to the meeting room below.

Participation is at the core of the design. The castle fosters a sense of engagement, with spectators and players all part of the activity.