Hazlewood Castle

Slide 1 – Hazlewood, the old baronial residence of the Vavasours, lies three miles west of Tadcaster in a well wooded park. Domesday Book is the first record of the existence of Hazlewood. It was then a thickly wooded manor, whose sylvan character is still faithfully represented by its name. It has been the seat of the Vavasours from the time of Domesday until 1908 when the castle and estates were sold. Concerning the fabric of Hazlewood Castle we know but little, less indeed than we know of the family who held it continuously for more than 800 years. It is recorded that in 1289 Hazlewood was changed from a Hall into a Castle of the Baron. One of the Vavasours (Sir William) had a license in 1289 from Edward 1 to embattle Hazlewood.