East Riding Museums

Described by John Leland around 1540 as a large house standing on a moated site, mostly of timber but partly of brick and stone. There are detailed descriptions in surveys dated 1537 and 1577 (for extracts see Neave & Waterson.) The manor house or castle was a principal residence of the earls of Northumberland. Panelling now in a room at Burton Agnes Hall, formerly at Kilnwick Hall, apparently came from Leconfield Castle. The house was demolished 1608-9. The dry moat, enclosing a 4-acre site, survives. A licence to crenellate was granted 1308.