Bolton Castle
Well-preserved 14th-century fortress in Wensleydale where Mary, Queen of Scots was held, with medieval gardens, falconry and a tea room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Bolton Castle was built for Sir Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor to Richard II. The licence to fortify it was granted in 1379, and building went on until 1399. A contemporary writer noted its unusually high walls. The Scrope family held it for generations, and it was damaged by the king's commissioners in 1536 after the family backed the Pilgrimage of Grace.
Its most famous prisoner was Mary, Queen of Scots, who was held there for six months from 1568 in the care of Lord Scrope and Sir Francis Knollys. During the Civil War the castle was held for the king, and it only surrendered in 1645 when the garrison was starving. Parliament ordered it to be slighted two years later, which destroyed the east curtain wall and the garrison quarters, although the south-west tower and the west range with its private rooms stayed in use. The family left for nearby Bolton Hall in 1675, and the north-east tower collapsed in 1762.
The castle later passed through the Dukes of Bolton to the family of the Lords Bolton, and it is still run by the Bolton Estate. About a third of the rooms survive intact, with displays showing life for archers, cooks, monks and the Scropes. Today the castle also has medieval-style gardens, a vineyard and maze, and a falconry centre.
Highlights
- Castle where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1568
- Medieval fortress with surviving towers and great chamber
- Historic gardens, vineyard and maze
- Falconry displays and daily activities such as archery and boar feeding
- Views over Wensleydale and the Yorkshire Dales
Permanent exhibition
- Castle rooms – About a third of the original rooms survive intact, with displays showing castle life for archers, cooks, monks and the Scrope family.
- Founded
- 1379
- Operated by
- Bolton Estate
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £12.50Ages 4 to 18 and over 67s |
| Children & teens | £12.50free up to age 3 · Ages 4 to 18; children under 4 enter free |
| Seniors | £12.50Over 67s |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers enter free; the person they care for pays the usual price |
| Groups (15+ people) | £14 per personAdult price per person for groups of 15 or more paying in a single transaction; concessions £11.50 |
| Families | £602 adults and 3 concessions, at least one of whom must be a child |
| Gardens only, adult | £6Includes the boar park, falconry flying display and bee house |
| Gardens only, concession (ages 5 to 18 and over 67s) | £5 |
| Gardens only, family | £292 adults and 3 concessions |
Members of the Historic Houses Association enter free with their membership number. School groups pay £8 per pupil for castle entry only or £16 for a full activity day.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is not easily accessible for visitors with reduced mobility because of spiral stairs and uneven surfaces. There are no accessible toilets in the car park or the castle. The tea room is reached by a flight of stairs. Access statements for the castle and the estate are published on the website. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the castle and the main gardens.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £60 · 2 adults and 3 concessions, at least one of whom must be a child |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Daily activities include a bird of prey display, an archery demonstration and wild boar feeding, and an activity bag for children can be bought. Hands-on falconry experiences are available at extra cost. Children under 4 enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
A bus service runs to Bolton Castle (Dales bus route 857).
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking opposite the castle entrance, in a field where dogs are welcome.
The castle is near Leyburn in Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The tea room serves homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches, quiches and light lunches, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and is open to visitors without a castle ticket. A take-away service is available for the gardens. Afternoon tea can be booked in advance.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
Civil weddings and partnerships can be held in the Great Chamber or the Chapel, with exclusive hire of the whole castle and gardens, or a reception only. The adjacent medieval St Oswald's Church holds up to 150 people.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An audio guide can be downloaded as an app. Private guided tours for groups of 15 or more can focus on Mary, Queen of Scots, the Civil War or castle life, and garden tours are offered. School groups can book activity days with costumed role play, archery and dancing. Dogs are not allowed in the castle or the main gardens because of the falconry birds, but they are welcome in the car park field and at a table outside the tea room. |
