Richmond Castle

About the museum

Richmond Castle was begun in 1071 by Alan Rufus, a Breton, soon after the Norman Conquest. He built it to guard against rebellion and to serve as a power base. The high keep was built in the late 12th century and was probably completed under Henry II, and Henry III and Edward I later invested in the site. By the end of the 14th century the castle no longer served as a fortress, and by the 1540s it lay largely in ruins.

Interest in antiquities led to repairs in the early 19th century. From 1855 the North Yorkshire Militia used the castle as its headquarters and built a barracks in the main courtyard, which was demolished in 1931. During the First World War the castle housed the Non-Combatant Corps, and men who refused military service were held in its cell block. Their graffiti and the story of the group known as the Richmond Sixteen are an important part of the site today.

English Heritage cares for the castle. Visitors can climb the keep, explore the towers, halls and chapels, and walk in the Cockpit Garden outside the walls. A small exhibition in the visitor centre explains the history of the castle and the people who lived and worked there.

Highlights

• Keep with views over Richmond and the River Swale
• Towers, halls and chapels of a Norman castle
• Exhibition on the castle from the Norman Conquest to the First World War
• Replica cell of a conscientious objector and cell block graffiti
• Cockpit Garden with a grass amphitheatre

Permanent exhibition

• Richmond Castle history exhibition – Displays, objects and interactive stations tell the story of the castle from the Norman Conquest to the Non-Combatant Corps in the First World War, including a mock-up of a conscientious objector's cell.

Founded

2000

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are advance online prices without the optional donation for a day in October 2026; the version with donation is about 10 per cent higher. Tickets booked online by midnight the day before the visit are 15 per cent cheaper than tickets bought on the day. Ticket prices change with the season and the date. Entry is free for English Heritage members, and a membership includes free entry for up to six children with an adult member.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main areas of the castle and the large ward are reached over mown grass, with some gravel around the base of the keep. A stair lift serves the first-floor visitor centre and exhibition. The keep and the Cockpit can only be reached by original steps, and the keep has many steep, uneven spiral steps; visitors can avoid the spiral staircase by going up the gatehouse first. There is an accessible unisex toilet in the visitor centre and a portable induction loop in the shop area. Loan wheelchairs, braille guides and braille signs are available, and there are tactile models in the exhibition. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The exhibition has an interactive area for children and a heraldry activity where visitors can design their own coat of arms, and a World Builder Challenge trail is offered. The grounds allow ball games and kite flying, and the Cockpit Garden has a grass amphitheatre for picnics and games.

Getting there & parking

The castle is just off the market place. Satnav postcode DL10 4QW; what3words address collects.instructs.afflicted.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The gift shop sells souvenirs, books, snacks and cold drinks, and Brymor ice cream is sold in summer. There are seven picnic benches with views over the River Swale and other benches around the site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit