What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

SKIPTON CASTLE

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Skipton
SKIPTON CASTLE

A complete medieval fortress
(1578)

Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year.

24/08/2026

The Yorkshire Highwayman
Saturday 29th August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Sunday 30th August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Monday 31st August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Come and meet John Nevison, one of Britain's most notorious highwaymen, a gentleman rogue supposedly nicknamed 'Swift Nick' by King Charles II after a renowned 200 mile dash from Kent to York to establish an alibi for a robbery he had committed earlier that day.
You can book your tickets and car parking online at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
We are a dog friendly space with a great gift shop and tea room. Take a tour of our website and plan your visit at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

10/08/2026

On Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August 2026 (10am -5pm), we welcome Flores De Chevalerie re-enactment group. They will bring 13th Century life to Skipton Castle with their medieval tournament, featuring genuine competitive combat combined with historical authenticity.
If you are planning to visit us, remember to book your tickets and car parking in advance at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
With a great gift shop and tearoom, you can plan your visit on our website: www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp
Please see website for the re-enactors schedule of events (closer to the date).

03/08/2026

On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August'26, 10am to 5pm, We bring a 'Medieval Music Day' to Skipton Castle.

Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler present an instrumental journey into the music of medieval Europe. Featuring hurdy-gurdy and its early predecessors, alongside gotich harp, lute, citole, portative organ, bladder pipe, and tambourine, the concert explores rhythms and melodies from both sacred and secular traditions, interpreted with imaginative freedom while remaining rooted in historical sources.

Visitors can expect an engaging introduction to medieval music. Throughout the day, Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler will showcase and play their collection of historical musical instruments, interacting with visitors to explain how the instruments work, their historical context, and their role in medieval music.

The showcase will include live demonstrations highlighting the sound and expressive possibilities of the instruments, offering an immersive experience in which visitors can both see the instruments up close and hear them in action.
In addition, Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler will present three short performances during the day, taking place at 11:00 am, 1:00pm and 3 pm. Each mini concert features instrumental interpretations of music from the 12th to the 14th centuries, performed on a variety of medieval instruments.

You can book your tickets and car parking in advance at https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk There are still slots available!
We are a safe space with a great gift shop and tearoom. You can plan your visit on our website: https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

27/07/2026

On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August'26, 10am to 5pm, The Trayned Bandes re-enactment group will be bringing Skipton Castle to life as they prepare this Civil War Regiment for battle against the Parliamentarian army.

10.00 am - Soldiers' camp, sentries set. Soldiers & civilians go about their duties.

11.00 am - Soldiers of the garrison form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

12.30 pm approx. – Dinner.

2.00 pm - Soldiers form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

3.30 pm - Soldiers form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

You can book your tickets and car parking in advance at https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk There are still slots available!
We are a safe space with a great gift shop and tearoom. You can plan your visit on our website: https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

20/07/2026

On Saturday 25th July and Sunday 26th July'26, 10am to 5pm, Buckingham’s Retinue re-enactment group will be bringing Skipton Castle to life as it may have been in the fifteenth century, during a period known as the Wars of the Roses.
Lord and Lady Clifford are hosting a weekend of events that will showcase the life and times of late medieval life. Members of the Castle household will take part in friendly competition throughout the weekend, with archery contests and combat displays - make sure to cheer for your chosen champion! There will be also opportunities for audience participation in sword school and medieval dancing (no experience required!).

10:00 Medieval life – the Castle brought to life

10:30 Soldier’s drill on the main lawn

11:00 Mumming play lawn by the main steps

11:45 Food talk in the medieval kitchen

12:30 Meet nobility fashion to etiquette, learn about high status living with Lord & Lady Clifford

1:15 Food is served

2:00 Music and dance with opportunity for participation on the lawn by the main steps

2:45 Archery display on the main lawn

3:30 Knight school with opportunity for children to participate on the main lawn

4:15 Combat display on the lawn by the gift shop or Chapel if wet

You can book your tickets and car parking in advance at https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk There are still slots available!
We are a safe space with a great gift shop and tearoom. You can plan your visit on our website: https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

07/07/2026

Meet the Governor!
Saturday 11th July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Sunday 12th July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Come and meet Sir John Mallory, Governor of Skipton Castle during the English Civil War
Hear about the Castle's siege and skirmishes its garrison have already fought and how the King's cause is faring in Yorkshire!
You can book your tickets and car parking online at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
We are a dog friendly safe space with a great gift shop and tea room. Take a tour of our website and plan your visit at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

23/06/2026

On Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June’26, (10am to 5pm) we welcome the return of the medieval re-enactment group the ‘Northern Free Company’. Starting from 11am on both days. Come and see the Castle brought to life with archery, arms and armour demonstration, dining etiquette demonstration, arming a knight and finishing the afternoon with a combat display.
If you are planning to visit us, remember to book your tickets and car parking in advance at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
With a great gift shop and tearoom, you can plan your visit on our website: www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp See less

21/05/2026

The Yorkshire Highwayman
Sunday 24th May 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Monday 25th May 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm
Come and meet John Nevison, one of Britain's most notorious highwaymen, a gentleman rogue supposedly nicknamed 'Swift Nick' by King Charles II after a renowned 200 mile dash from Kent to York to establish an alibi for a robbery he had committed earlier that day.
You can book your tickets and car parking online at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
We are a dog friendly safe space with a great gift shop and tea room. Take a tour of our website and plan your visit at www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp

06/05/2026

A Musical Party at Skipton Castle
On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2026 Skipton Castle will play host to The 1635 Household who will display and discuss musical instruments and the role of domestic music in a gentry household of the early seventeenth century. Members of the household, all dressed in period costume, will sing and play pieces from Dowland, Holborne and other composers from the early modern period to provide a fitting atmosphere to the hall of this wonderful Castle. You can learn more about The 1635 Household and their events at www.1635.org.uk

Address

High Street
Skipton
BD231AW

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441756792442

Website

http://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/

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