History uncovered: 5 fascinating castles in Yorkshire

Those who are keen to discover castles will be spoilt for choice as there are many superb castles in Yorkshire. There’s nothing quite like visiting a castle and being able to explore a striking reminder of the past in person. We’ve highlighted 5 fascinating castles that are guaranteed to provide a great day out.

Skipton Castle

A castle brimming with romance and majesty, Skipton Castle is more than 900 years old. It survived a Civil War siege lasting three years and is one of England’s best preserved medieval castles. With the help of a tour sheet, visitors can explore the entire castle to their heart’s content, from the dungeon and the banqueting hall all the way to the top of the watch tower. Access to Skipton Castle costs £7 for adults and £4.40 for children aged 5 to 17.

Bolton Castle

Bolton Castle dates from the 14th century and has retained its imposing appearance to offer present-day visitors a grand sight. Fantastic daily events take place at Bolton Castle including wild boar feeding, bird displays featuring hawks, owls and falcons, as well as archery demonstrations where in addition to informative talks visitors get a shot at testing their archery skills. Most of the castle interior can be explored, while the gardens are just as intriguing and not to be missed either. It costs £7.50 for adults and £6 for children aged 5 to 18 to access the castle, grounds and gardens.

Conisbrough Castle

Time has taken its toll on the surrounding walls but the overall image of Conisbrough Castle is delightfully intriguing. The well-preserved 12th century keep, which features a design unique in Britain, stands proudly on its hilltop vantage point and is an impressive sight to be seen. Tickets to visit the castle cost £4.60 for adults and £2.80 for children aged 5 to 15. The castle is currently closed for a redevelopment project but will reopen from April 2014.

Helmsley Castle

The ruggedly beautiful Helmsley Castle has a diverse history behind it, serving as a medieval fortress and a Tudor mansion as well as playing a role during the Civil War. The castle can be explored with the help of an interesting audio tour and visitors can get involved with the hands-on exhibition and view intriguing sculptures of soldiers. The castle is also well situated for combining it with a visit to Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey located a few miles away. Entry to Helmsley Castle costs £5 for adults and £3 for children aged 5 to 15.

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle is a magnificent Norman fortress that offers excellent views of the Yorkshire Dales from the top of the keep. There is an interactive exhibition within the castle interior, while outside visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk around the charming cockpit garden, a modern garden designed to reflect the castle’s history. The grounds are also a picturesque spot to enjoy a picnic. Tickets for entry to Richmond Castle cost £4.80 for adults and £2.90 for children aged 5 to 15.

You can find campsites in Richmond here.

Proud parts of history standing tall in contemporary times

It’s easy to forget in our modern lives that day-to-day living was vastly different when these castles were constructed. They act not only as excellent attractions to marvel at and explore but also serve as a fun and intriguing means of gaining insight into the past in a tangible way that simply reading about history can’t provide. So if you’re planning a trip to Yorkshire, put at least one if not more of these castles on your itinerary and let your imagination run wild.