10 Amazing Castles To Visit Near Harrogate: A Local’s Guide
Looking for the best castles to visit near Harrogate? Here’s where to find the most impressive castles in the area, including exactly how to visit each one – from a Harrogate local!
North Yorkshire is awash with romantic old castles and there are plenty near Harrogate worth visiting, surrounded by stunning countryside! Some are in good repair, while others are significantly ruined, but each is exciting and unique!
Without further ado, here are some of the best castles near Harrogate for you to visit and create unforgettable memories.
The Best Castles Near Harrogate
1. Knaresborough Castle
Castle Yard, Knaresborough HG5 8AS
Admission: Free (£3.20 for the tour) Website
Distance from Harrogate: 4.3 miles
Travel time: 18 minutes
Knaresborough is one of the prettiest towns in North Yorkshire. It has a soaring Victorian viaduct over the River Nidd, lovely riverside walks, and an attractive town centre.
The ruined 12th-century medieval stronghold of Knaresborough Castle (and the Courthouse Museum) sits high above the river, moments from the town centre and train station. It’s the most beautiful location!
This North Yorkshire castle has a long and fascinating history and many Royal connections. King Richard II was imprisoned in the castle’s “King’s Tower” for one night before he was sent to Pontefract Castle, where he died “in mysterious circumstances.”
Knaresborough Castle highlights:
✔️ Explore the castle walls independently for free
✔️ Join a paid tour to discover the history of the King’s Chamber, visit the dungeon and escape through the secret underground exit (the “sallyport”).
✔️ Visit the Courtroom Museum to discover an original Tudor courtroom and learn more about Knaresborough’s colourful history and connection to Guy Fawkes.
📍 Fancy staying over? You’ll love the cute Waterside Cottage Bed & Breakfast. It’s one of the loveliest cottages in North Yorkshire!
2. Skipton Castle
The Bailey, Skipton BD23 1AW
Admission: £10.20 (adult). Concessions are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 22 miles
Travel time: 37 minutes
Skipton is a thriving market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with a fabulous castle at the end of the high street! The stunning 900-year-old castle in Skipton is one of England’s most intact Medieval castles.
Skipton Castle highlights:
✔️ The beautiful Tudor courtyard with its ancient yew tree
✔️ The dungeons, the “long drop” privy in the kitchen (kids love it), the banqueting hall and day rooms
✔️ The imposing gatehouse and its unique shell grotto
📍 Extend your trip to Skipton with a stay at the Bailey Bed & Breakfast or pick one of their cute shepherd’s huts – right opposite the castle!
3. Bolton Castle
Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET
Admission: £12.50 includes admission to the castle, gardens and grounds, plus the boar park and falconry flying displays.
Concessions are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 48 miles
Travel time: 1 hour 13 minutes
The tiny rural village of Castle Bolton (population 100) takes its name from the impressive 14th-century castle overlooking the village green.
While Bolton Castle was initially built as a family home, it was also used as a prison by Queen Elizabeth I! She held her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, captive in the castle for a year, from July 1568, before sending her to harsher conditions at Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire..
Bolton Castle highlights:
✔️ Explore the beautifully presented castle, including the rooms Mary Queen of Scots used, her servants and attendants.
✔️ Wander through the lovely castle gardens, including the Mary Garden, the medieval Dyer’s Garden and the splendid herb garden.
✔️ Book a half-day falconry experience, including learning how to handle and fly a falcon!
📍 Bolton Castle is located in a very rural part of North Yorkshire. You could join this tour from York that includes both Bolton Castle and Richmond Castle if you prefer to enjoy the scenery and let someone else negotiate the narrow country roads.
4. Ripley Castle
Ripley, Harrogate HG3 3AY
Admission: £5.00 for the castle grounds and gardens.
Castle tours can be booked via the castle’s website
Distance from Harrogate: 4.6 miles
Travel time: 17 minutes
Tiny little Ripley is like a village in a storybook; it’s so pretty! Ripley Castle, in the centre of the village, is a 14th-century fortress that has been the home of the Ingilby family for 28 generations!
Walking or cycling from Harrogate to Ripley Castle via the scenic Nidderdale Greenway is a treat for active visitors. The 4-mile route along a converted railway line passes through lovely woodland carpeted with bluebells in spring. In summer, you’ll have views of yellow and purple wildflower meadows and a blaze of red and orange in the autumn before the leaves fall.
Ripley Castle highlights:
✔️ Join a paid castle tour to learn about Ripley Castle’s history and discover secret rooms and hiding places (including a priest hole) used by Catholics escaping persecution after the death of “Bloody Queen Mary”.
✔️ Explore the beautiful grounds and gardens, including the deer park and orangery
✔️ Venture into the Walled Garden, home of the National Hyacinth collection
💡LOCAL TIP: Stop for lunch at the highly regarded Boars Head Inn, but make sure to book as it’s very popular!
P.S. Try some delicious Ripley ice cream from the little village shop – it’s ridiculously tasty!
5. Spofforth Castle
Castle St, Spofforth, Harrogate HG3 1ND
Admission: Free
Distance from Harrogate: 6.4 miles
Travel time: 15 minutes
Sleepy little Spofforth is an attractive village between Harrogate and Wetherby with a ruined 12th-century castle at its heart.
Medieval Spofforth Castle has a fascinating history, a surprising connection to the Magna Carta, and a lurid ghost story!
Spofforth Castle highlights:
✔️ Explore the castle independently for free
✔️ Look out for the Spofforth Castle ghost
✔️ Checkout the Great Hall and the Undercroft
📍 Fancy a bite to eat? Spofforth Bistro is a four minute walk from the castle 🙂
P.S. You could easily visit both of the castles at Spofforth and Knaresborough in one day.
6. Helmsley Castle
Castlegate, Helmsley YO62 5AB
Admission: £9.00 (free for English Heritage members). Concessions and family tickets are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 37 miles
Travel time: 60 minutes
Helmsley is one of the most beautiful towns in North Yorkshire, thanks to its lovely market, beautiful old stone houses and castle!
Helmsley Castle evolved from a medieval fortress to a Tudor mansion and became a stronghold during the English Civil War, but it’s been ruined since Victorian times.
A huge bonus is that the drive from Harrogate to Helmsley Castle takes you through the gorgeous North York Moors!
Helmsley Castle highlights:
✔️ Visit the remains of the magnificent three-storey East Tower, which was ruined in the 17th century by Parliamentary forces during the Civil War
✔️ Check out the massive groundwork surrounding the castle
✔️ Watch out for the castle ghosts – the Green Lady, the soldier and the pixie-like creatures!
💡 LOCAL TIP: Helmsley is gorgeous. The stylish Feversham Arms is a real foodie treat if you decide to stay over and explore.
7. Richmond Castle
Tower St., Richmond DL10 4QW
Admission: £7.80 (Free for English Heritage members).
Concessions are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 39.1 miles
Travel time: 60 minutes
Richmond is a beautiful, welcoming North Yorkshire town with a quaint charm and a huge castle!
English Heritage describes Richmond Castle as “the best-preserved example of an early Norman castle in England.” It was built in 1070 by Count Alan Rufus, who fought alongside William I at the Battle of Hastings.
Richmond Castle highlights:
✔️ Explore the great curtain walls and the Gold Hole Tower
✔️ Climb the 100+ steps to the top of the towering Keep (Conan’s Tower)
✔️ Stroll through the delightful castle gardens
📍 If you want to spend a night or two in Richmond, you’ll need to book early, as this exceptionally photographic town is popular all year round. The Castle House or King’s Head are lovely choices in the town centre.
8. Middleham Castle
Castle Hill Middleham, North Yorkshire, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4QG
Admission: £7.80 (Free for English Heritage Members).
Concessions are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 31 miles
Travel time: 61 minutes
Middleham is a small market town located in stunning Wensleydale, with some of the best views in Yorkshire. As it’s also home to many of Yorkshire’s best racing stables, you’ll probably see magnificent racehorses pass through the town on their way to the gallops.
The original Middleham Castle was a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, replaced in the 12th century by a vast (ruined) keep and impressive curtain walls. It is one of the most incredible castles to visit near Harrogate!
Middleham Castle highlights:
✔️ The story of the castle’s most famous resident – the infamous King Richard III – who spent his childhood at the castle
✔️ The outstanding views of Wensleydale from the viewing platform
✔️ The remains of the oven and horse mill within the castle grounds
📍 Fancy staying over? You’ll love the cute Waterside Cottage Bed & Breakfast Kirkgate House!
9. Clifford’s Tower York (York Castle)
Tower St, York YO1 9SA
Admission: £8.10 (Free for English Heritage members).
Concessions are available. Website
Distance from Harrogate: 23.7 miles
Travel time: 53 minutes
York, the largest city in North Yorkshire, was founded by the ancient Romans as a walled city. The city’s 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, has medieval stained glass and two soaring bell towers.
Just two years after winning the Battle of Hastings, William I’s forces began the construction of two castles in York. All that remains today is Clifford’s Tower – a large, imposing, four-lobed 13th-century stone tower.
Despite the distance, Clifford’s Tower is one of the easiest castles to visit near Harrogate, as you can reach York by train from Harrogate.
Clifford’s Tower highlights:
✔️ Climb up to the top of the tower for wonderful 360° views over the ancient city
✔️ See King Henry III’s medieval garderobe (toilet) – the only known one of its type in England.
✔️ Visit King Henry III’s medieval chapel
📍 Marmadukes Town House Hotel is a characterful boutique hotel with luxurious, individually styled rooms and fabulous deep baths. Perfect for sinking into to relax after a long day walking around York! On-street parking is free from 4 pm to 10 am, and onsite parking is just £7.
10. Harewood Castle
Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LZ
Admission: Free
Distance from Harrogate: 7 miles
Travel time: 15 minutes
Harewood is a tiny village halfway between Harrogate and Leeds. It is home to the magnificent Harewood House and the little-known ruins of Harewood Castle.
The castle is hidden from view, yet easy to visit with a little local know-how!
Harewood Castle highlights:
✔️ The hidden location means you may be able to explore without seeing another soul
✔️ The beautiful carpets of bluebells if you visit in the springtime
✔️ Tons of photo opportunities
READ MORE: What to Do on the Harewood Castle Walk
As Harewood Castle is one of the closest castles to visit near Harrogate, and you’ll only need an hour to look around it, it’s easy to fit into your trip itinerary.
Why are there so many castles near Harrogate?
Let’s travel back to 1066 when William the Conqueror (the Duke of Normandy) invaded England, killed the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and became King William I of England.
William stamped his authority on his new kingdom through a castle-building programme. He gifted lands across the country to his faithful noblemen, who built castles to protect them from rebellious locals and invaders from Scotland.
Work on the magnificent North Yorkshire castles started quickly, with many castles added in the following turbulent years.
Map of the Best Castles Near Harrogate
You can view an interactive version of the map here.
Thanks for reading my Harrogate Castles Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE HARROGATE GUIDES:
- The Best Things to Do in Harrogate
- The Best Places to Stay in Harrogate
- The Best Places to Brunch in Harrogate
- The Best Dog-Friendly Cafes & Restaurants in Harrogate
Wrap Up – The Best Harrogate Castles to Visit
So there you have it! A wide variety of castles to visit near Harrogate to tempt you to get out and explore. Have you decided which of these North Yorkshire castles you would like to visit?
More tips for your trip to Harrogate:
- Where to Stay: Best Places to Stay in Harrogate
- What to Do: Harrogate Turkish Baths + See Harrogate’s Spectacular Spring Cherry Blossom + Best Things to do in Harrogate
- Where to Eat: Where to Find the Best Afternoon Tea +Dog-Friendly Cafes & Restaurants
And ideas for your Yorkshire itinerary
- What to Pack for Yorkshire – A Complete Packing List
- The Most Beautiful Towns in Yorkshire
- York: The Perfect Weekend In York + The Best Day Trips From York
- Leeds: One Day in Leeds Itinerary + Best Day Trips From Leeds
- Sheffield: Amazing Free Things to do in Sheffield
READ ALSO: Traditional Yorkshire Food + Christmas Markets in Yorkshire
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