Mexborugh & Swinton Times, August 11, 1939
A Few Local Beauty Spots
Conisborough Attractions
Moving alphabetically, one ought to mention Conisborough Castle among the places easily accessible to the wayfarer using Barnsley as the centre. Industrialisation has robbed this fine old stronghold of much of its charm, but probably no military structure in Britain occupies a more commanding site, or affords to the eye a finer representation of great strength combined with architectural beauty than Conisborough Castle – not sufficiently appreciated by the natives.
The site of the Castle is a natural eminence forming the keystone to the Don and Dearne Valleys. The upper part is completely encircled by the broken outer wall, in the centre of which stands the massive age-old keep – a silent sentinel. This, says a chronicler, “has perhaps been more frequently the subject of pen and pencil than any other remains of its order in the kingdom”.
Conisborough has claims to great antiquity. There is good ground for the belief that as early as the fifth century a stronghold of a sort existed here. A mound near the Castle wall is referred to as the “Tomb of Hengist”.
His Majesty, King George V. visited the castle during his tour of South Yorkshire in July, 1912. The view from the summit of the keep is well worth the severe climb. Despite the proximity of collieries, railways and artificial waterways, the immediate prospect is not unpleasant.
The glory of the woods in the neighbourhood of Sprotborough is nature´s proclamation that she has not abandoned her tenure.
The castle has of course been immortalised by Sir Walter Scott in Ivanhoe. And when you have finished admiring the Castle and studying the topography of the district from the summit of the keep you can stroll down to the waterside and enjoy an hour´s boating on the placid Don.