Originally built to defend against Scottish raiders in the 15th century, it was converted into a mansion and today is a Grade II* listed building.

[1] Armathwaite Castle was built in the 15th century on a strong point along the west side of the River Eden by the Skelton family.

The castle was a four-storied pele tower with the facade constructed from hewn stone and protected the Eden valley from Scottish raiders.

[7] Robert was assistant to Thomas Rymer in preparing the massive 20-volume Foedera (a compilation of treaties between England and foreign states from 1066 to 1654),[9] and he made the castle the centre of a collection of antiquities and relics.

In the early 19th century the castle was converted into a mansion, faced with ashlar cut stone in a classical style, with an adjacent wing for offices.