Skipton Castle is one of the best preserved and most complete medieval castles in England, and it stands at the head of Skipton High Street, the gateway town to the Yorkshire Dales. Unlike many castles it is not a ruin: the great round towers, the gatehouse with its Clifford motto, the banqueting hall, kitchens, bedchambers and even the dungeons are largely intact and have kept their roofs. The Normans first built a fortress here around the end of the eleventh century, and from 1310 it was held by the Clifford family, who strengthened and extended it for more than three hundred years. During the Civil War the castle was a Royalist stronghold and withstood a siege of three years before surrendering in 1645, after which Parliament ordered it to be partly dismantled. Lady Anne Clifford, who inherited the property, restored it in the 1650s and planted the yew tree in the central Conduit Court, which still grows there today. You can wander through the Tudor courtyard, climb the Watch Tower, explore the cellars and the Shell Room, a small chamber decorated with seashells, and visit the kitchen where the old equipment hints at the scale of medieval feeding. It is a hands-on castle where visitors can climb stairs, look from windows and move about with plenty of freedom.
How to visit
The castle is right in the town of Skipton, a short walk from the bus and rail stations, the canal basin and the market. The entrance is at the top of the High Street beside the church, and there are car parks nearby. Opening days and hours vary through the year, with a shorter day in winter, and the castle closes for a few days around Christmas, so check the dates for your visit on the castle website.
Tickets are usually bought on arrival, and an audio guide is normally available to give the history room by room.
What to expect
A visit takes about an hour and a half to two hours. The route is self-guided, starting in the gatehouse and moving through the Conduit Court, the kitchens, the Banqueting Hall, the bedchambers and the dungeons, with steps and uneven floors in several places. Because the castle has been continuously lived in and restored, you find rooms of many centuries in one site, from the original Norman fabric to the Tudor alterations.
A tea room and a shop sit near the entrance. Wear flat shoes, because the stone stairs and cobbles are uneven, and note that some parts of the castle are not accessible for wheelchair users.
Making the most of it
Arrive when the castle opens to enjoy the courtyard without crowds, and bring children, because the dungeons, towers and the secret corners of the castle are exciting for them. Combine the visit with a stroll along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, browsing in the High Street market, and the Holy Trinity church next door. Skipton is also a good base for evening activities, including a ghost walk through the old town that often passes the castle walls, and for day trips to Bolton Abbey, the Bronte country and the Dales.
Who it suits
Families, history lovers, couples and anyone who wants a proper medieval castle without a long journey. It is also an easy visit on a wet day, as much of it is under cover, and it fits neatly into a day exploring the southern Dales.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit through the towers, courtyard, kitchens, bedchambers and dungeons of a largely intact medieval castle.
Best time
A weekday morning for quiet courtyards; wet days work well because much of the castle is under cover.
How long
About an hour and a half to two hours.
Tips
Wear flat shoes for the stairs and cobbles, check seasonal opening days and pick up the audio guide if offered.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and history fans who want a complete medieval castle.
- Families
- Dungeons, towers and corners to explore make it a hit with children.
- Couples
- Pair the castle with a canal-side walk and dinner in the town.
- Pair with
- Skipton High Street, the canal basin and Bolton Abbey.
- Time needed
- Allow two hours, or half a day with the town.
Good questions
How old is Skipton Castle?+
The first fortress dates to around the end of the eleventh century, and the Clifford family held and extended it from 1310.
What is the yew tree in the courtyard?+
It was planted in the 1650s by Lady Anne Clifford, who restored the castle after the Civil War, and it still grows in Conduit Court.
How long does a visit take?+
Allow about an hour and a half to two hours to explore the rooms, towers and dungeons.
Is the castle suitable for children?+
Yes. Children enjoy the dungeons, stairs and towers, but the steps and uneven floors need care.
Is the castle open all year?+
It is open most of the year with shorter days in winter and a closure around Christmas. Check the days for your visit before you travel.
