Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Tower St, York YO1 9SA
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
The stone keep of York Castle, built under Henry III in the 13th century on the site of an earlier wooden fortress raised by William the Conqueror in 1068 - its four-lobed, quatrefoil shape is unusual among English castles. A new roof deck gives 360-degree views over York, though what's inside is largely an empty shell rather than furnished rooms.
Worth the trip
The 360-degree roof deck views over York - reviewers say this is what the ticket price is actually paying for.
Before you go
The steps are steep and the site isn't wheelchair accessible; reviewers frequently flag the entry price as steep for what's a fairly quick visit, so weigh it against how much you value the view specifically.
Opinions on Clifford's Tower are genuinely mixed: several reviewers love the panoramic 360-degree views from the newly added rooftop terrace and find the history compelling, while others feel the £11-14 entrance fee is steep for a site that's fairly small and quick to see. Multiple reviewers flag the steep, spiral stairs as a real barrier for older visitors, young children, or anyone unsteady on their feet. Overall it's seen as a worthwhile stop in York, but one where expectations should be tempered by the price.
Keep of York Castle; new roof deck
“Well worth a visit of you are in York. Very interesting history, lovely view across the city from the roof and well presented , although there isn't much you can do with the empty shell of a building.”— Martin Rapier, visitor review
