Clifford’s Tower, York: A practical guide – with hours, prices, parking & visitor tips

Clifford’s Tower rises above York’s skyline on a steep grassy mound, the last significant remnant of York Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 to control the rebellious north, this stone keep has seen nearly a thousand years of English history, from Norman conquest through medieval power struggles to tragic persecution. A major renovation completed in 2022 added a dramatic timber roof deck and internal walkways, opening parts of the tower unseen for over 350 years.

Location and accessibility

The tower is on Tower Street in central York, a short walk from most attractions. York Railway Station is roughly one mile away — a 15-20 minute walk through the city centre or a quick bus journey. There are several car parks nearby, though parking in York’s centre is expensive and spaces fill quickly. The closest public parking is beside the tower itself, but expect to pay around £3-4 per hour.

From the street, you’ll need to climb the steep grassy mound to reach the entrance. Three resting areas with benches break up the ascent. The climb is manageable for most visitors but rules out wheelchair access entirely. Pushchairs also won’t work here — leave them at your accommodation or car.

Clifford’s Tower opening times and ticket prices

From April through October, the tower opens daily from 10am to 6pm. During winter months (November to March), hours reduce to 10am-4pm. Last admission is one hour before closing time. Always check the English Heritage website before visiting as hours can vary.

For ticket prices, beware of English Heritage’s annoyingly inconsistent seasonal pricing. Admission to Clifford’s Tower costs different amounts on different days.

However, if you pay on the day, adult entry costs from £10. Children pay from £5.40 and concessions from £8.60. There are also various family tickets available.

Book online at least a day in advance, and you get a 15% discount. English Heritage members get in free.

Tickets are valid all day, so you can arrive any time during opening hours and stay as long as you like. Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour exploring, though you could easily linger longer on the roof deck enjoying the views.

What to expect

The quatrefoil design — a four-lobed clover shape — makes Clifford’s Tower architecturally unique in England. Each circular lobe measures about 22 feet across with walls nearly 10 feet thick. At its widest point, the tower spans 79 feet. The unusual design was an experiment in improving defensive sight lines, allowing defenders to see more ground from the summit.

At ground level, information panels explain the tower’s history. Audio presentations featuring fictional historic characters tell the building’s story, from the Harrying of the North to the 1190 massacre of York’s Jewish community to the devastating 1684 fire that destroyed the interior.

The new suspended metal walkways let you access features hidden for centuries, including the royal chapel and medieval garderobe (toilet) above the entrance. The chapel once doubled as a portcullis chamber. Some stonework shows red discolouration from the 1684 fire that gutted the interior.

The crowning feature is the timber roof platform, installed during the 2022 renovation. From here, 360-degree panoramas stretch across York’s rooftops toward the Minster, over Museum Gardens, and across the surrounding countryside. On clear days, the views are spectacular. The exposed position means it’s often windy and cold up here even when the city below feels pleasant, so dress in layers.

The dark history

In March 1190, Clifford’s Tower became the site of one of medieval England’s worst atrocities. During anti-Jewish riots that swept England, York’s Jewish community—around 150 people—sought protection inside the timber tower that stood here then. Faced with a hostile mob led by Richard Malebisse, and with no hope of escape, many chose mass suicide rather than fall into their attackers’ hands. Those who survived were killed when they emerged. The timber tower burned in the violence.

Today, a memorial at the base of the mound marks the tragedy. English Heritage’s interpretation now addresses this history more directly than in past decades, though the main focus remains on the tower’s broader medieval role.

The tower’s current name comes from a later grim episode. In 1322, Roger de Clifford was hanged in chains from the walls after leading a failed rebellion against Edward II. The first recorded use of “Clifford’s Tower” appears in 1596—before then, it was simply known as the King’s Tower.

Practical details

A small welcome area at the base includes a mobile vendor selling tickets, guidebooks, and light refreshments. Toilets are not available at the tower — the nearest facilities are a five-minute walk away in the Coppergate Shopping Centre. Plan toilet breaks before climbing the mound.

Dogs are not permitted except assistance dogs, which must stay on leads. There’s no café or designated picnic area, though you could sit on the grass outside if weather permits. The tower has no handrails on many sections, and the spiral staircases are narrow with uneven stone steps that become slippery when wet.

Nearby attractions

York Castle Museum sits immediately adjacent to Clifford’s Tower, housed in the former prison buildings. This excellent museum recreates everyday life through the centuries with period room displays, a Victorian street complete with shops, and even prison cells. The recreated 1940s house and Victorian street rank among the museum’s highlights. Allow 2-3 hours minimum.

The Shambles, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets, lies just 0.2 miles away—a five-minute walk. Timber-framed buildings lean at precarious angles over narrow cobbled lanes. The street takes its name from the Saxon word for slaughterhouse, and in 1862 had 26 butcher shops. Today it’s packed with gift shops, cafés, and boutiques, though crowds can make it claustrophobic during peak times.

Jorvik Viking Centre, located on Coppergate beside the Shambles, stands on the actual site where archaeologists discovered Viking York in the 1970s. A “time capsule” ride takes you through a recreation of 10th-century Jorvik complete with animatronic Vikings, authentic sounds, and yes, period-appropriate smells. The museum section displays genuine 1,000-year-old artifacts found during excavations. Pre-book tickets to skip queues as there’s almost always a wait.

York Minster dominates the skyline just 0.3 miles north. The largest medieval cathedral in northern Europe showcases breathtaking Gothic architecture and medieval stained glass. Climbing the 275 steps up the central tower rewards you with extraordinary views, though the narrow spiral staircase isn’t for everyone. Allow at least 90 minutes, longer if you want to explore the Undercroft museum.

The National Railway Museum, about 0.6 miles northwest, is the world’s largest railway museum with over 100 locomotives spread across massive sheds. See the record-breaking Mallard, a Japanese bullet train, royal carriages, and the famous Flying Scotsman. Best of all, general admission is free, though some experiences cost extra. It’s outstanding for children and adults alike. Plan for at least two hours, although prepare to open your wallet for parking.

York’s City Walls encircle much of the historic centre. You can walk substantial sections of these 13th-century fortifications for free, getting elevated views across the city. The 2.1-mile circuit takes roughly two hours at a leisurely pace, or you can walk shorter sections. Access points include near the Minster, at Bootham Bar, and at Monk Bar.

York’s Chocolate Story, 0.2 miles from Clifford’s Tower, offers guided tours exploring York’s role in British chocolate-making, from Terry’s to Rowntree’s. Interactive exhibits let you create your own chocolate bar. It’s particularly good for families and chocolate enthusiasts.

The Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens provide a peaceful green space 0.3 miles from the tower. The museum houses Roman, Viking, and medieval artifacts including the York Helmet and Cawood Sword. The gardens contain ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and make for pleasant wandering.

DIG, run by the same trust as Jorvik, gives visitors the chance to be archaeological detectives, excavating reproduction finds from Roman, Viking, medieval, and Victorian York. It’s hands-on and excellent for children, located in a converted church near the Minster.

Making the most of your visit

York’s compact centre makes it easy to visit Clifford’s Tower alongside several other attractions in a day. The tower works well as either a first stop — the roof views help orientate you to the city — or as an afternoon visit when light is best for photography.

Weekdays outside school holidays are quieter than weekends. The tower gets busy around midday, so arrive at opening time or late afternoon for smaller crowds. The exposed hilltop can be unpleasantly windy and cold even when the city feels mild, so bring a jacket.

Some visitors feel the ticket price is steep for what’s essentially a ruined shell with a viewing platform, especially those who’ve paid full price at the gate. I’m inclined to agree with them, although the views are genuinely excellent, and the 2022 renovations have improved the experience significantly. But if you’re tight on budget or time, the view from York City Walls is free and nearly as good.

That said, if you’re interested in Norman architecture, medieval power politics, or simply want the best panoramic views in York from a historic vantage point, Clifford’s Tower delivers. The compact site won’t occupy your entire morning, leaving plenty of time to explore the rest of what I think is England’s second best city for visitors after London.

More Yorkshire travel

Other Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• A practical guide to visiting Pontefract Castle.
• Do I need to book York Dungeon tickets in advance?
• All you need to know about visiting the York Bird of Prey Centre.
• A practical guide to visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby.
• How to visit Hardraw Force, England’s tallest waterfall.