SKIPTON CASTLE

Well this is one of the best preserved castles i have seen . The interior gives a very clear view of the quality of life that a wealthy family could expect to lead in a late medievil fortress . The standard of information boards is excellant do not bother buying a guide book . The place is both pictureesque and intetesting.

A really great castle which is very much intact a must see if you are visting skipton castle. There has been a castle here since the 11th century. I know everyone comments on the seashell grotto but I have always liked the yew tree that is in the middle of the courtyard. If it was a ruined castle you would think that it had just sprung up but it was planted by lady clifford after the civil war when the repairs were going. There are lots of useful boards telling you what happened here placed around the castle if you dont want to buy a guide book. There are lots of towers to explore and you can look at the kitchens with there giant fireplaces the great hall and a ruined chapel. The spooky area is downstairs in the dungeons you can imagines the prisoners chained up here screaming

We visited in June 2007. Skipton Castle is over 900 years old, although the smallest in Yorkshire is one of the best preserved medieval castles in England. The main part of the castle consists of 6 towers that all interlock. This also has a great hall, and it is all arranged around a small open courtyard.
To the east are a range of building called the Long Gallery, built in 1536 and these remain a private residence.

I do have some mobility problems, but with care and taking my time I was able to explore all areas. However it isn’t suitable for wheelchair access except for the outer grounds. Even then, there are quite a lot of cobbled surfaces which mean it does take a little effort. This is also true of Prams.
There is a tea room inside the grounds. However we felt they were quite pricey and used a tearoom in the town itself at quite a lot less for similar food and drink.

A shop is also there, with the usual array of gifts for a site like this. Prices seemed pretty good value and they have a specialist area of books relating to the castles history.
Overall, its a castle that doesn’t appear to be known or visited as much as some of its counterparts. In many respects its a shame because its one of the best I’ve visited in a long while. But the upside is, you don’t get crowded out even on a nice summers day.

Parking isn’t available at the castle itself, but we’ve found there are plenty of options in the town. On their main website they have a basic map outlining where most of the main parking is available in relation to the castle. The nearest carpark though is very expensive after 4 hours at the time it was £8-00 so please be aware of this as well if traveling by car.

As the “gateway to the dales”, this is one of Skiptons’ biggest attractions and does not disappoint.
Starting with the imposing entrance throughout, this is one interesting Castle!
The admission room is a shell grotto, and if you wish you can hire a headphone set to give you a tour. The real guides (not virtual)are friendly and helpful.
Everything around this area is linked so you will hear about Lady Anne Clifford and her son who died in the Strid (near Bolton Abbey) and can then if you wish visit linked areas.
Much to see and my favourite bit is the toilet that is basically just a slate slab with a hole in it that drops into the canal below! I bet that was a treat for anyone working down there.
Rooms with displays of armour etc, the history of the castle and its wars and generally what you would expect from a Castle.
The owners of the Castle, the Fattorinis are adding more and more attractions every year, with staged re-enactments, wine & food evenings and special events, so worth a look to see if anything is on when you may be visiting.
Lovely little tea rooms with home made foods at a reasonable price and a seated area outside for those willing to brave our Summer.
Most areas can be accessed with a wheelchair, although the worst bit is the entrance over the cobbles!
Parking is in Skipton itself, there is none in the castle, unless by special arrangement for drop off.

A good day out for both kids and adults. We went on a day when a medieval re-enactment society were dressing up, shooting arrows and cooking appropriately -- they were very friendly and knowledgeable and it certainly made the visit well worthwhile. The castle itself has a huge amount to explore and there’s a lot of useful information around bring the place to life. The only downsides are it’s quite pricey -- perhaps we’re spoilt a bit by the fact that so many museums etc are free now -- and that it’s not particularly accessible by public transport. But all in all, a pretty good day out.

This place is absolutely fantastic, from the entrance room which is a strange kind of seashell grotto, very fashionable in its day, to the interior court, straight out of tudor times. You get given a sheet with all the relevant history, showin ghow the castle was enlarged over the years. The walls of the castle are absolutely huge, and I think I’m right in saying that this was the last place to hold out against the roundheads during the civil war. After that the walls were destroyed, but the lady of the castle was so charming and influential that she managed to convince the new parliament to allow her to rebuild them. It’s fascinating to see the lord and lady’s bedrooms, which are big but not enormous, and of course, at the other end of the scale, the dungeon, which is basically just a mouldy little room. The castle is on a point that dips down to a river, so that the best view in the castle is the one from the toilet window!
If you’re in Skipton, which has an oldies only restaurant, this is a great place to visit!