A to Z & FAQs | News | Maps | Forms | Contact Us | Site Info | What's New  Versions : Text | Printer
left curve Cleethorpes, Grimsby & The North East Lincolnshire Wolds right curve
Image Selection Welcome to the North East Lincolnshire website

spacer

Ross Castle

You will notice that  you are a lot higher than the sea front, and that you have magnificent views, to your left and right and out across the River Humber. But why was Ross Castle built here?

It was all due to the arrival of the railway to Cleethorpes in 1863. The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company were instrumental in developing Cleethorpes as a holiday destination. Cleethorpes was situated on a cliff and suffered from coastal erosion. The Railway Company began work on sea defences in 1883-85 by building a promenade, one mile long and 65 feet wide below the cliff. Above the promenade they built a sham ruin known as Ross Castle. It marks the highest original position of the cliffs. The castle was named after the railway company's secretary Mr Edward Ross. Notice the steps that lead the way down to Ross Castle, which are intricately designed in art deco style.

"It is a peculiar conical structure built after an ancient fashion with stones of all shapes and sizes roughly together with cement - the pile appearing at short distance like some tower or castle of the olden times," Mr E Jackson - from 'The Illustrated Guide' (1885)

Return to top of page




Feedback  :  Make a suggestion | Make a complaint | Make a compliment | Report a problem with this page
Created by   :   Tourism Development
Last Updated   :   31 March 2008

© 2003-2008 North East Lincolnshire Council, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU, Tel No: (01472) 313131 Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
Other Languages & Formats 
Link to requesting information for the visually-impairedLink to requesting information for the hearing-impaired