Harewood Castle
West Yorkshire, England
Photo: TJ Blackwell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: jcw1967 from Leeds, UK, CC BY 2.0 · Lajmmoore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Harewood House Trust
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Grounds only
- Nearest station
- Weeton, 3.1 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Conserved 14th-century fortified hall-house viewable via a free footpath; interior currently closed to visitors.
Pinpoint
Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LZ
Telephone 0113 218 1010
A conserved 14th-century fortified hall-house tucked into woodland on the Harewood Estate, reached via a public footpath rather than a formal entrance. Reviewers describe a genuine hidden find - well preserved from the outside, though currently closed to enter.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The walk itself: a footpath through a tree tunnel that reviewers say makes the castle feel like a real discovery rather than a signposted attraction.
Before you go
There's no dedicated car park - reviewers recommend parking near Kite Cottages or in the village and following the public footpath signs.
What visitors say
Harewood Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 129 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy the walk to reach the castle - a public footpath through woodland and a tunnel - describing it as a hidden gem.
The exterior is well preserved, but several note there's no public car park and the interior is not currently open to visitors.
“A beautiful walk around a small but relatively whole castle. As there isn't any carpark for it, you will need to park around the housing nearby, put in kite cottage on Google maps. A short walk down the public footpath…”- James Day, visitor review
Within reach of Leeds (7 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Harewood House Trust says
Disabled access toilets in multiple locations. Dogs warmly welcomed in designated outdoor areas. Adventure Playground and Woodland Wonderland available.
Taken from Harewood House Trust’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.
Walks at Harewood Castle
Harewood Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Loved visiting this little 14th century gem, Firstly its in the middle of a small woodland as others have suggested park at kite cottages and head down the public footpath.”- Ricky fraser mackenzie hughes, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
Weddings at Harewood Castle
Harewood Castle is on our wedding roll because Harewood House Trust mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
De Lisle family · 12th century
The De Lisle family founded this fortified hall-house in the 12th century. Sir William de Aldeburgh, who married into the family, was granted a licence to crenellate in 1366 and rebuilt it in stone. It was abandoned as a main residence in 1600 but survives well preserved.
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
- “As there isn't any carpark for it, you will need to park around the housing nearby, put in kite cottage on Google maps.” - James Day
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Not recommended for people with mobility issues as you have to climb over a small stream and up some steps on a wall along with the castle being set on a steep incline.” - beth chippindale
Common questions about Harewood Castle
Where is Harewood Castle?
Harewood Castle is in West Yorkshire, England, at Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LZ.
Can you go inside Harewood Castle?
At Harewood Castle the grounds are open to visit but the castle interior generally isn't, under Harewood House Trust. Check the official site for current access before you travel.
Are there walks at Harewood Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Loved visiting this little 14th century gem, Firstly its in the middle of a small woodland as others have suggested park at kite cottages and head down the public footpath.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Harewood Castle?
The walk itself: a footpath through a tree tunnel that reviewers say makes the castle feel like a real discovery rather than a signposted attraction.
Is Harewood Castle a ruin or still intact?
Harewood Castle is a ruin - Conserved 14th-century fortified hall-house viewable via a free footpath; interior currently closed to visitors.
