24th May 2017

Must Visit Castles North Yorkshire Coast and Moors

Have you booked a stay at one of our cottages dotted along the North Yorkshire Coast and Moors or are you thinking of visiting this breath-taking corner of the country?

Ensuring a visit to these stunning castles across the North Yorkshire Coast and Moors are top of your list any time of the year is a must. If you want to marvel at intricate architecture and take a step back in time to find out what life was really like hundreds of years ago, that is.

Castle Howard, York

If you’ve booked a stay at one of our holiday cottages in Whitby, then set the day aside. As in just over an hour’s drive you can take in the stunning landscape of the North Yorkshire Moors and spend a few hours exploring the spectacular stately home of Castle Howard. With its central domed structure, over 140 rooms open to the public, beautiful garden and 127 acre arboretum.

Scarborough Castle

If you’re joining us for a stay at one of our holiday cottages dotted across the North Yorkshire Coast and Moors, you are around a 45 minutes drive from Scarborough Castle. Sadly, all that remain of what was once a grand and heavily fortified stately home are the foundations. But thanks to a well-documented history dating back to medieval times, visitor centre displaying the many artefacts found across the site and stunning views over the harbour and out to sea, it is a visit not to be missed. Throughout the year there are also many enactments held within the boundaries.

Ripley Castle and Gardens, Harrogate

Just three miles outside of Harrogate stands Ripley Castle. It has been in the hands of the Ingilby family for over 700 years and thanks to meticulously kept deeds, documents and letters, it’s rich heritage can be followed through civil wars, conspiracies, religious upheaval, economic hardships and plagues.

Skipton Castle 

A medieval site dating back over 900 years old, Skipton is one of the best preserved and maintained castles in England. From the watch tower to the dungeons, everything is faithfully preserved as it was all those years ago. So you can accurately absorb the story of how its occupants survived three years of siege during the English Civil War. When it’s time to take a break, the gardens are perfect for a stroll or perhaps enjoy a traditional cream tea.

Helmsley Castle

Owned by English Heritage, Helmsley Castle has undergone major refurbishment to improve accessibility to the 900 year old site. Which also underwent a siege during the Civil War (just three months before Cromwell’s army blew the keep in half) and was once home to a rich tapestry of residents, from medieval fortress dwellers to the lords and ladies of a Victorian mansion. When visiting the castle, Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey are close by. Or a couple of pleasant hours can be spent enjoying a pub lunch in the lovely market town of Helmsley.

With over 25 castles and ruins to visit, as well as a plethora of attractions for all the family, you’re never short of things to do in North Yorkshire.