County guide · The Castle Rolls
Best castles in Yorkshire
17 castles across Yorkshire's four historic ridings — North, West, South and the East Riding — the largest county grouping on the whole roll.
17Castles listed here
Map
Every castle on this list — 17 in total, 5 free to enter, 2 you can stay overnight in
| Castle | Access | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarborough Castle | Ticketed | 4.6 (8,836) | The sheer depth of history on one headland - few sites in England layer this many… |
| Clifford's Tower, York | Ticketed | 4.3 (5,963) | The 360-degree roof deck views over York - reviewers say this is what the ticket price is… |
| Skipton Castle | Ticketed | 4.5 (5,454) | The conduit court, where a yew tree planted after the castle's Civil War siege still… |
| Knaresborough Castle | Free | 4.6 (4,880) | The clifftop view over the river and viaduct - reviewers call it a postcard scene and the… |
| Helmsley Castle | Ticketed | 4.5 (3,038) | The domestic wing's panelled room - reviewers name it as their favourite part, alongside… |
| Richmond Castle | Ticketed | 4.6 (2,969) | Climbing to the top of the keep - reviewers highlight that dogs are allowed the whole way… |
| Ripley Castle | Limited tours | 4.5 (2,839) | The guided tour - reviewers name their guide directly and rate the personal,… |
| Sandal Castle | Free | 4.5 (2,603) | The view from the top of the motte, taking in the surrounding battlefield ground below. |
| Conisbrough Castle | Ticketed | 4.5 (2,526) | The climb to the top of the keep, where reviewers say the views make the tower worth… |
| Pontefract Castle | Free | 4.5 (2,001) | The dungeon tours, bookable for a small extra fee - the detail reviewers flag as worth… |
| Middleham Castle | Ticketed | 4.6 (1,812) | The connection to Richard III - reviewers describe genuinely emotional visits built… |
| Pickering Castle | Ticketed | 4.4 (1,486) | The staff themselves - reviewers repeatedly say a knowledgeable member of staff talking… |
| Hazlewood Castle | Hotel guests only | 4.3 (1,370) | The grounds - roaming peacocks and woodland walks get more consistent praise across… |
| Spofforth Castle | Free | 4.5 (850) | The way the building is built straight onto the bedrock, with the rock itself forming… |
| Skipsea Castle | Free | 3.6 (151) | The mound itself — surprisingly tall in person, and reviewers note it's more impressive… |
| Cawood Castle | Hotel guests only | 4.6 (9) | Staying overnight, if you can book it - reviewers who've done so call it a genuine… |
| Bolton Castle | Ticketed | — | The Mary, Queen of Scots connection - her rooms and the story of her stay are the… |