The Castle’s original Norman construction was begun in 1068 and added to extensively through the Medieval period. In the Middle Ages, it was an important royal fortress and occasional royal residence.

In decline by the 16th century, the original Castle was largely demolished in 1651, after the English Civil War, aside from its walls and gates. The site occupies a commanding position on a natural promontory known as “Castle Rock”, with cliffs 130 feet (40 m) high to the south and west which dominates the city skyline.

William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle built the mansion in the 1670s, which was completed by his son, Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle. This ducal palace was torched by rioters in 1831 and left as a ruin for over 40 years.

It was renovated in the 1870s to house an art gallery and museum, which remains in use. Little of the original castle survives other than the gatehouse and parts of the ramparts, but sufficient portions remain to give an impression of the layout of the site.

Although Nottingham City Council owns the Castle, it is operated by an independent charitable trust called the Nottingham Castle Trust. The castle closed for a major refurbishment from 2018 and reopened on 21 June 2021.