Castle · Ruin

Spofforth Castle

Spofforth, North Yorkshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • No car park on site
  • English Heritage
Spofforth Castle: Spofforth Castle, situated midway between Harrogate and Wetherby, was a fortified structure built partially into the bedrock of the land which supports it. The gr
Photo: TJBlackwell · CC BY 3.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Spofforth Castle is a ruined castle near Spofforth, North Yorkshire, managed by English Heritage. Entry is free. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is no car park on site.

Spofforth Castle opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 10:0016:00
  2. Tue 13 10:0016:00
  3. Wed 14 10:0016:00
  4. Today Thu 15 10:0016:00
  5. Fri 16 10:0016:00
  6. Sat 17 10:0016:00
  7. Sun 18 10:0016:00
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Summer 1 Apr to 30 Sep
Daily
10:00 to 18:00
 n/a
Winter 1 Oct to 29 Mar
Daily
10:00 to 16:00
 n/a

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Spofforth Castle and parking

Plan your route

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Directions to Spofforth Castle View on a map
Parking
No car park on site, free. Free roadside parking in the village.
By train
Pannal is 3.3 miles away.
Public transport
Transdev Harrogate & District 770 and 771; Harrogate Coach Travel X70.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Leads: dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • 'Dogs on leads are welcome' with no mention of indoors; lesser value used.

What to see at Spofforth Castle

  • 01

    Great hall

    The main hall, used for feasts and ceremony.

  • 02

    Chapel

    A chapel inside the castle.

History of Spofforth Castle

  1. 1215 Reputedly where rebel barons drew up Magna Carta.
  2. 1224 Henry III licenses a Friday market.
  3. 1308 Henry de Percy licensed to fortify the manor house.
  4. 1461 Burned by Yorkists after Towton.
  5. 1559 Restored by Henry, Lord Percy.
  6. 1604 Death of the last recorded occupant, steward Sampson Ingleby.
  7. 1924 Placed in state care by Baron Leconfield.

Photos

Castles near Spofforth Castle

All 9 castles in North Yorkshire

FAQs

Where do you park at Spofforth Castle?

There is no car park on site.

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 15 Oct 2026
  2. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  3. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  5. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

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