Bolton Castle is a 14th-century quadrangular castle in the village of Castle Bolton, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for the 2026 season.
This Yorkshire castle is a popular part of the All Creatures Great and Small tour from York.
Last updated: May 2026. The 2026 season opened on Saturday 7 March and runs until Sunday 1 November 2026. Several Saturdays are closed to the public due to weddings. Always check the official website before travelling.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am–5pm daily, 7 March – 1 November 2026 |
| Adult ticket (Castle, Gardens & Grounds) | £15 |
| Concession ticket | £12.50 (ages 5–18 and 67+) |
| Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 concessions) | £60 |
| Under 4 | Free |
| Parking | £5 per car per day, on-site |
| Address | Castle Bolton, Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET |
| Nearest public transport | Wensleydale Railway to Redmire (approx. 1 mile walk) |
| Typical visit length | 3–4 hours |
Bolton Castle opening hours
Bolton Castle is open daily from 10am to 5pm between Saturday 7 March and Sunday 1 November 2026. It is closed in winter. The castle is also closed on several Saturdays in 2026 due to private weddings. On these days no public admission is available, so check the events page on the official website before booking travel on a Saturday.
The castle does not operate year-round. There are no public opening days between November and early March.
Bolton Castle ticket prices
Admission to Bolton Castle (Castle, Gardens & Grounds) costs £15 for adults and £12.50 for concessions. Concessions apply to visitors aged 5–18 and those aged 67 and over. Children under 4 enter free. A family ticket covering two adults and up to three concessions (at least one of whom must be a child) costs £60.
Season tickets for unlimited visits are available for individuals, couples, and families. Groups of 15 or more receive a discounted admission rate. Costumed guided tours for groups cost an additional £2 per person, and private guided tours are an additional £10 per person, both requiring advance booking. Historic Houses members are admitted free of charge.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
Why book the All Creatures Great and Small Tour from York?
- 🐾 The Real “Darrowby” (Grassington): Step into the charming village used as the primary filming location for the latest TV adaptation, featuring the iconic Drovers Arms and the exterior of Skeldale House.
- 🩺 The World of James Herriot: Visit the original home and surgery of Alfie Wight in Thirsk, a multi-award-winning museum where you can see the famous Austin 7 car and explore a vast collection of 1940s veterinary equipment.
- 📺 Original Series Heritage: Discover Askrigg, the picturesque village that served as the setting for the classic BBC series, and see the landmarks that have appeared on screen for decades.
- 🐑 Breathtaking Yorkshire Dales: Experience the rolling hills, dry stone walls, and rugged moors of the National Park, capturing the atmospheric landscapes that inspired the world-famous memoirs.
- 🚐 Small-Group Personalization: Enjoy a relaxed journey in a comfortable minivan, allowing access to narrow Dales lanes and hidden viewpoints that larger tour buses cannot reach.
How to get to Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle is located in the village of Castle Bolton, approximately 6 miles west of Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales. By road, access is via the A684 from Leyburn or from Redmire to the west. The castle sits at the top of a steep lane through the village.
By public transport, the Wensleydale Railway (wensleydalerailway.com) runs to Redmire station, approximately one mile from the castle. Bus services connect Castle Bolton to Leyburn and upper dale villages via the Upper Dales Community Partnership; check northyorkstravel.info for current timetables. Car is the most practical option for most visitors as public transport services are limited.
Parking at Bolton Castle
An on-site car park is available at Bolton Castle, costing £5 per car per day. The car park machine accepts both cash and card. Parking is a short walk from the castle entrance. There is no on-site coach parking information on the official website; group visitors should contact the castle directly before arrival.
How long to spend at Bolton Castle
Most visitors spend between three and four hours at Bolton Castle, which allows time for the castle rooms, gardens, and one or two of the daily activity sessions including falconry and archery. Visitors wanting to do both falconry displays, the archery demonstration, wild boar feeding, and a thorough tour of the castle rooms should allow four or more hours.
The last entry time is not stated on the official website; as the castle closes at 5pm, arriving by 1pm gives comfortable time to see the full range of activities.
Accessibility at Bolton Castle
The grounds, gardens, and Boar Park at Bolton Castle are accessible to wheelchair users. However, the castle interior is not wheelchair accessible. The building has five floors connected by spiral staircases, uneven stone flooring, cobbles, and open ruined sections that cannot be adapted due to the historic nature of the structure. No lift is available.
Large print guides to the castle are available on request at the entrance. Visitors with pushchairs will find the castle interior impractical for the same reasons. The tea room and grounds-level activities are accessible.
Inside Bolton Castle – what to see
The castle rooms cover five floors and include the Old Kitchens, Dungeon, Solar, Nursery, Armoury, Great Chamber, and the bedroom associated with Mary Queen of Scots, who was held at Bolton Castle for six months in 1568–69. Approximately one third of the rooms are fully intact; the rest of the castle is accessible as partial ruin. Information boards and displays throughout explain daily life at different periods of the castle’s history.
The gardens are divided into themed areas including the Mary Garden, Rose Garden and Rose Arbour, Herb Garden, Dyer’s Garden, and Bowling Green. A hedge maze is also on site.
The falconry displays take place twice daily and feature hawks, owls, and a falcon. Visitors can watch from the grounds; in adverse weather, a static talk replaces the flying display. The archery demonstration includes the opportunity to handle a bow and have a go under supervision.
The Boar Park is included with all admission types and houses wild boar, with a daily feeding session. A bee house displays beekeeping methods through the ages. Throughout the season, costumed re-enactor events are scheduled on selected weekends, covering topics such as Tudor household life and the Wars of the Roses; these are free with admission. A free audio guide app is available to download before or during your visit.
The Tea Room serves homemade cakes, sandwiches, scones, and hot drinks, with vegan and gluten-free options available.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check Saturday closure dates before booking | Several Saturdays in summer 2026 are closed for weddings. Verify on the official website before purchasing travel or accommodation. |
| Arrive before midday to make the most of the day | Two falconry displays run per day; arriving early ensures you do not miss the first session and have time for the castle, gardens, and Boar Park. |
| The castle interior involves significant climbing | Five floors are connected by spiral staircases with no lift. Visitors with limited mobility, pushchairs, or young children in carriers should expect the interior to be physically demanding. |
| Dogs are not permitted anywhere on site | Dogs cannot enter the castle or the gardens due to the falconry experience. Do not bring dogs, even if intending to stay in the grounds. |
| Tickets can be bought on arrival or online in advance | Purchasing online saves queuing time at the entrance. Groups of 15 or more should contact the castle in advance to arrange discounted admission and guided tour options. |
Frequently asked questions about Bolton Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Bolton Castle suitable for children? | Yes. The castle includes a dungeon, towers, wild boar feeding, falconry, and archery. Children must be able to manage stairs in the castle interior. Activity packs for children are available to buy on site or in advance. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Bolton Castle? | Tickets can be purchased on arrival. Booking online in advance is recommended to save time, especially during school holidays or re-enactor event weekends. |
| Is Bolton Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, Bolton Castle is open every Sunday between 7 March and 1 November 2026. |
| Are dogs allowed at Bolton Castle? | No. Dogs are not permitted in the castle, the gardens, or anywhere else on site. |
| Is Bolton Castle wheelchair accessible? | The castle grounds and gardens are wheelchair accessible. The castle interior is not, due to spiral staircases, uneven floors, and cobbles. |
Things to do near Bolton Castle
Aysgarth Falls – A triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure, approximately 6 miles from the castle in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Short waymarked walks from the National Park car park.
Middleham Castle – An English Heritage ruined castle approximately 4 miles south-east of Bolton Castle, closely associated with Richard III. Managed site with on-site interpretation.
Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes – Working cheese dairy approximately 15 miles west, with factory tours, a creamery museum, and a shop. The home of Wensleydale cheese.
Forbidden Corner, Tupgill Park – An unusual private garden with tunnels, chambers, follies, and grottos, approximately 8 miles from the castle at Coverdale. Pre-booking required.
Constable Burton Hall Gardens – Parkland gardens open to visitors at a Georgian country house approximately 6 miles east, with walks through woodland and riverside grounds.
What to visit tomorrow – more castles within two hours
Skipton Castle – One of England’s most complete medieval castles, in the market town of Skipton. Open year-round; approximately 40 miles south of Bolton Castle.
Richmond Castle – A Norman keep managed by English Heritage, above the River Swale in Richmond town centre. Approximately 20 miles north, with views across Swaledale.
Helmsley Castle – A ruined English Heritage castle at the edge of Helmsley market town, approximately 25 miles east. Combined well with visits to Rievaulx Abbey nearby.
Barnard Castle – A ruined medieval castle above the River Tees in County Durham, approximately 25 miles north. The adjacent Bowes Museum houses a nationally significant art collection.
Clifford’s Tower, York – The surviving royal keep of York Castle, managed by English Heritage in the centre of York. Approximately 40 miles east; easily paired with a full day in the city.
More Yorkshire travel
Other Yorkshire travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the World of James Herriot in Thirsk.
- What to expect at Ripon Cathedral.
- Guides to North Yorkshire abbeys and priories: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Rievaulx Abbey, Byland Abbey, Mount Grace Priory.
- Practical visitor guides to Malham Cove, the Ribblehead Viaduct, Aysgarth Falls and Linton Falls in the Yorkshire Dales.
- Complete guide to visiting Stump Cross Caverns.
