Clifford's Tower, York
North Yorkshire, England
Photo: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Jitka Erbenová (cheva), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Stephen Montgomery created the original, hchc2009 edited the background, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- York, 0.6 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Keep of York Castle; new roof deck
Pinpoint
Tower St, York YO1 9SA
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am - 6pm (last entry 5.30pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- No on-site parking; charged public parking at the base of the mound is not run by English Heritage.
- Access
- 55 steps lead to the keep, then spiral stairs to the roof deck; the sheer drop at the top is fenced.
- Facilities
- No toilets on site; the nearest are a five-minute walk away at Coppergate Shopping Centre.
- Dogs
- No dogs allowed, except assistance dogs.
- Safety
- The site contains a covered well, and the mound has steep slopes where climbing is not permitted.
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.
At a glance
Who to know
Henry III · the king under whom the stone keep was built in the 13th century
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.
What visitors say
Clifford's Tower, York reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 5,963 Google reviews
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.
“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
Within reach of Leeds (22 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Three resting places on steep steps for rest breaks; tactile map at base of tower
Taken from English Heritage’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
William the Conqueror · 1068
A wooden motte-and-bailey was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to control York. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the 13th century creating a unique quatrefoil keep design. It was repaired during the Civil War and after a 1684 explosion was used as a jail until 1929.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is parking at the bottom of the tower, though it is quite pricey, making the site ideal for a shorter visit.” - Przemyslaw Kowalski
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Fairly obviously there are very steep steps , do not accessible and not ideal for small children, especially the spiral staircases.” - Martin Rapier
Common questions about Clifford's Tower, York
Where is Clifford's Tower, York?
Clifford's Tower, York is in North Yorkshire, England, at Tower St, York YO1 9SA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Clifford's Tower, York?
Yes - Clifford's Tower, York is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Clifford's Tower, York?
The 360-degree roof deck views over York - reviewers say this is what the ticket price is actually paying for.
Is Clifford's Tower, York a ruin or still intact?
Clifford's Tower, York is a partial ruin - Keep of York Castle; new roof deck.
