Bolton Castle

Castle Bolton
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4ET

Tel: +44 (0)1969 623 981
+44 (0)1969 623 674
Fax: +44 (0)1969 623 332
Email: harry@boltoncastle.co.uk


Built in 1379 for Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor of England to Richard II, this massive fortress dominating the heart of Wensleydale is one of the country's best preserved castles. Oak beams raised more than six centuries ago still support many of the great halls and galleries, walls nine feet thick soar upwards to battlements from which Royalist guards eyed their Parliamentary besiegers during the Civil War.

The medieval atmosphere of the Castle lingers everywhere, - in the rooms in which Mary, Queen of Scots, spent six melancholy months of imprisonment during 1568 and 1569, and in the 14th century Garde-robes (lavatories) constructed with such sophistication that they were still in use some 500 years later. It persists most powerfully in the macabre horror of the Castle dungeon, a hole carved from solid rock, in which an arm bone was found still manacled to the wall.

Throughout the great Castle, vivid tableaux help to bring the distant past to life - the Castle chaplain meditating in his austere cell, the miller at work on the threshing floor, the blacksmith in his forge, the Nursery furnished with 17th century artefacts, and Mary, Queen of Scots' bedroom complete with her ladies-in-waiting and her favourite dog.

For the comfort of his guests, Richard le Scrope built grandiose living quarters. The vast 14th century Guest Hall is now an inviting tea-room offering modern visitors an excellent selection of teas and light snacks in the most impressive surroundings.

In recent years the present owner, Lord Bolton, a direct descendant of the 1st Lord Scrope, has restored two of the Castle gardens along medieval lines - a Herb Garden with more than 40 different species, both culinary and medicinal, and a walled garden stocked with hardy varieties of grape vines. Nearby a formal garden blazes with old-fashioned roses and the Bowling Green is fringed with colourful flowers and shrubs.

 

Opening Times
(2007 times)
April to October: Daily 10.00am - 5.00pm.
November to March: Please Telephone for details.
Telephone to check on opening times, especially in bad weather.

Admission Charges
(2007 prices)
Adult 5.00; Child/Senior Citizen/Student 3.50; Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) 12.00.

Directions
6 miles west of Leyburn, just off the A684. Signposted Wensley, Carperby and Redmire.
Show map of Bolton Castle...

Nearby Attractions
Hazel Brow Farm (5 Miles)*
Hazel Brow Farm is a 200 acre traditional family run farm in the heart of Swaledale - famous for its beautiful Herriot scenery.
Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre (10 Miles)*
This is an award-winning museum, managed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, housed in Hawes railway station in the north of the National Park.
Green Howards Regimental Museum (10 Miles)*
The museum's collection spans three centuries of travel, campaigning and war.
more nearby attractions...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Hotels
Scotch Corner Hotel (14 Miles)*
The Scotch Corner Hotel is a landmark hotel with two restaurants, a bar and a fully equipped leisure centre. Whether you are visiting the area for a leisure stay or simply breaking your journey, you'll be assured a great stay.
Croft Hotel (19 Miles)*
Near Darlington, in the quaint village Croft-on-Tees, this extraordinary boutique hotel and restaurant are waiting to be discovered. This impressive building stands in front of Croft Bridge providing visitors with spectacular views of the River Tees.
Walworth Castle Hotel (19 Miles)*
One of the country's finest historic hotels, parts of which date back to the 12th century, Best Western Walworth Castle is set in 18 acres of grounds only 3 miles from Darlington.
more nearby hotels...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Self Catering
Georges Cottage (3 Miles)*
Georges Cottage is a four star rated, country cottage in the village of West Witton, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The cottage retains the original beamed ceilings and stripped wood floors.
Overdale Cottage (5 Miles)*
This traditional, sympathetically converted Dales cottage is set in a quiet hamlet in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
West Close Cottage (5 Miles)*
Set in the National park in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales these two barn conversions are tastfully decorated to a very high standard with exposed beams conservatories to enjoy the specular views of the local landscape.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more nearby self catering...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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