Skipton Castle

Om museet

Skipton Castle was begun soon after 1090 by the Norman baron Robert de Romille as a timber fort. It was replaced by a stone castle on a rocky bluff above Eller Beck, which gave it a strong natural defence against Scottish raids. In 1310 Edward II granted the castle to Robert Clifford, and his family held it for centuries. Robert Clifford began to strengthen it heavily but was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

During the English Civil War the castle was the last Royalist stronghold in the north, and it surrendered in December 1645 after a siege of about three years. Parliament ordered it to be made unusable, and its roofs were removed. Lady Anne Clifford, the last of her family to own it, later had the building repaired and planted a yew tree in the central courtyard in 1659 to mark the restoration. The tree still stands in the Conduit Court.

The castle remained with the Clifford family until 1676 and then passed through the Tufton family, the later Lords Hothfield. The Fattorini family bought it in 1956, and it is now run as a visitor attraction. It is fully roofed and unfurnished. Visitors follow a one-way route past the gatehouse, the Tudor Conduit Court, the banqueting hall, the medieval kitchen and the former chapel, with an illustrated tour sheet in ten languages.

Højdepunkter

• Gatehouse, towers and Tudor Conduit Court with the yew tree planted in 1659
• Banqueting hall and medieval kitchen
• Shell grotto in the gatehouse tower
• Self-guided route with free tour sheets in ten languages
• Skipton Castle Woods behind the castle

Grundlagt

1090

Entrépriser & rabatter

The published prices are for online booking, which guarantees a time slot and saves money; tickets can also be paid for on arrival by card only (no cash), and the on-the-day price is not published. All visitors under 18 receive a free Castle Explorer's badge. The Friends of Skipton Castle scheme gives repeat entry and a 10% discount in the shop and tearoom.

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig: findes ikke
• Elevator: findes ikke
• Handicaptoilet: findes ikke
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

There is no wheelchair access into the castle: it has 27 steps up to the courtyard, spiral staircases, uneven floors and low doorways, and no lift can be installed. The grounds, the shop and the tearoom can be reached by wheelchair over a cobbled surface. Handrails are provided on stairways. Toilets are in the grounds, up a small footpath, and there are no accessible toilets. Dogs are allowed on a short lead in the castle but not in the shop or tearoom.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Opgavehæfte, skattejagt eller audioguide for børn
• Puslerum: findes ikke

Children receive a Castle Explorer's badge, and the website offers printable colouring sheets, paper models and a wordsearch. Because of the many steps, prams are best left at reception. There are no baby changing facilities.

Transport & parkering

The castle is at the top of Skipton High Street. Vehicles cannot drop visitors off at the gatehouse forecourt.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Museumsbutik

Clifford Tearooms serve cakes and light meals with vegetarian and gluten-free options. The shop sells books on the castle, prints, cards and souvenirs. There is a picnic area with views over the town.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Firmaarrangementer
• Bryllupper / vielser

Ceremonies can be held in the ancient chapel, banqueting hall or granary for up to 80 guests. Several rooms can be hired for meetings, conferences and private events with advance booking.

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