Skipton, North Yorkshire - "Skipton Gateway To The Dales"
Skipton Castle
Skipton castle is one of the best preserved and most complete medieval castle in England, despite a three year period during the civil war when it came under siege.
After the battle of Marston Moor it was the only Royalist stronghold left in the north of England. At last the governor, Sir John Mallory, negotiated aa surrender, and on the 21st December 1645 the garrison marched out with colours flying and trumpets sounding. Cromwell ordered the removal of the castle roofs, but only ten years later the owner, Lady Anne Clifford, was allowed to replace them , on condition they were not strong enough to bear firing cannon.
Admission Details
Skipton Castle is open daily from 10am (Sunday 12 noon), except for
25 December. Last admission is at 6pm (October - February 4pm).
Adults: £6.00
Children (5-17): £3.50
Children under 5: free
Over 60s and students: £5.40
Family Ticket for two adults and up to 3 children over 5: £18.90
(saves up to £3.60).
Guides are available for pre-booked parties at no extra cost (reduced
rate of £5.00 per head for adult parties of 15 or more).
Free Tour Sheets in a choice of nine languages
(English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese
or Esperanto)
This Year's Castle Explorer's badge for all under 18s.
Skipton Castle makes special arrangements for school parties
Please note that there is no wheelchair access to the ancient castle ~ grounds, tearoom & shop accessible over a cobbled surface.
Dogs are allowed within the Castle and grounds
but must be kept on a lead.
Skipton Castle
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 1AW
01756 79244
Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and well preserved medieval castles in England.
Fully roofed and with an enchanting early Tudor courtyard the stout towers of the gatehouse only hint at the splendour which is revealed as the visitor enters the castle grounds.
Facing the gatehouse there is a large tower, originally the watchtower
- the most important feature of the castle's defences. To its left is
the present entrance to the inner core of the stronghold.
Masons' marks can be seen in the stonework within the main entrance
and the Conduit Court. Stonemasons would leave a carved initial or symbol
to show which stones they had dressed so that they could be paid for
their work.
In medieval days visitors would have crossed a bridge over a moat and
then passed under a portcullis and through the main doors before reaching
the inner courtyard.
The grooves of the portcullis and the opening for the drawbar of the
great door can still be seen.
Leading off the Conduit Court is the Banqueting Hall, the social centre of the Medieval castle, and where the Lord and Lady would have dined.
The medieval kitchen would never have passed the scrutiny of today's
public health inspectors; it would have been a crowded, hot and smelly
place.
The garderobe (privy) opens straight off the kitchen. Next to it was
a chute which discharged kitchen waste into the stream below.
Pipes made from elmwood brought water from outside,
but if the castle was besieged and the pipeline cut off, the inhabitants
had to rely on rainwater collected from the roof and channelled into
a cistern beneath the Conduit Court.