Richmond Castle

CastleNorth YorkshireEnglish Heritage4.6(3,015 on Google)

Book tickets Website

£10.90

non-member

Free

EH members

4.6

on Google

Open

see times

Richmond Castle rises above the River Swale, its keep offering views across the market town and surrounding dale. Within the walls, a broad grassy courtyard links towers, halls and chapels, while the Cockpit Garden provides a quieter place to pause. Exhibitions trace the castle's changing uses and tell the stories of conscientious objectors imprisoned here during the First World War, using voices and images of the marks they left on their cells. Children can try designing heraldry and look for details among the ruins. Reviewers recommend allowing longer than a quick circuit and making time for the garden as well as the climb up the keep. Bring a picnic for the grounds and an extra layer on windy days. Dogs on leads are welcome. Steep, uneven stairs limit access to the keep, and the approach from the market place crosses cobbles.

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Richmond Castle10:00 - 17:00

Opening time details

The access page carries a roadworks notice dated Monday 16 September without a year. It is not treated as a current 2026 closure; contact the castle about any drop-off needs.

Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October, then 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November. Weekends 10am-4pm from 2 November to 20 December. Check the official calendar for holiday and event exceptions.

Last entry is normally 30 minutes before closing.

EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary admission; special events may differ.

Main Ward reached over mown grass and gravel. Keep and Cockpit Garden have original steps; steep spiral stairs climb the keep. A stair lift serves the visitor-centre exhibition. An undated access-page roadworks notice mentions Monday 16 September, which is not a 2026 date; confirm current vehicle access directly.

Parking: Independently charged public parking in Richmond Market Place; current tariff and maximum stay not confirmed. EH notes two hours free for Blue Badge holders. The castle has no general visitor car park; walk from the market place over cobbles.

Image: Richmond Castle courtyard and Scolland’s Hall. Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1318398_Richmond_Castle,_east_curtain_wall,_Scollands_Hall_Richmond_20240523_0066.jpg

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome at the castle and its permitted grounds. Confirm any room-specific restrictions with staff.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs may explore the permitted visitor grounds subject to the visitor-access restrictions above; ordinary admission or eligible membership applies.

Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed: no complete outside dog-walking route with verified access, parking and seasonal restrictions was established in this review. Nearby green space does not establish permission.

Leads: Keep dogs on leads in permitted visitor areas. Keep clear of livestock and wildlife; site-specific livestock restrictions beyond the stated rules are not confirmed.

Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed: no additional dated seasonal dog exclusions were established. Follow current site signs; the stated access rules apply regardless of season.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome according to EH access guidance. Contact the site about specific inaccessible areas or equipment.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult

£10.90

Child (5-17)

£5.40

Concession

£10.00

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)

£27.20

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)

£16.30

Pricing details

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation; seasonal prices vary. EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance online tickets save up to 15%; under-5s enter free. Adult walk-up range: £10.00 off-peak to £12.70 peak.

Parking

Parking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

Independently charged public parking in Richmond Market Place; current tariff and maximum stay not confirmed. EH notes two hours free for Blue Badge holders. The castle has no general visitor car park; walk from the market place over cobbles.

Driving pin is Richmond Market Place Car Park, matched to the visitor parking guidance at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/richmond-castle/directions/. Main attraction listing identity is stored separately. Walk from this arrival point to admissions.

Pins

Enamel pin badges sold in the shop here, photographed by visitors.

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Facilities

ShopToiletsPicnic areaDogs on leads