Why Do Spiral Staircases Go Anti-Clockwise?

Question

Why do spiral staircases always go clockwise when you're going up and anti-clockwise when you're going down? Why not the other way around?
Kevin, Sittingbourne

Answer

** Definitive **
Name: Andrew, Tipperary
Qualification: I've been down staircases
Answer: If you go back to the days of castles, you defended your castle from the top down. You had the advantage of using your right-hand with your sword as you go down and as most people are right-handed, helped them against raiders.

Name: Ashley, Lower Earley
Qualification: Used to work in security
Answer: Most people are right-handed, so they want to hold the bannister to hold on the outside. That means they are anti-clockwise when you're going down.