Address: Bolton Castle, Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET
Category: Ruins
Access: Open to the public
Getting there
By Car
Finding the castle is not that easy. The street address is Leyburn, North Yorkshire, but it is in fact some five miles further west along the A684, and you should set your SatNav for Castle Bolton. From either south or north, travel along the A1 to the junction with the A684, near Northallerton, Yorkshire. If you are coming from the west, leave the M6 at J37 onto the A684, and watch for a left hand turn, about three miles after the village of Witton.
Following the brown tourist signs you climb a moderately steep rise to the castle, and turn left behind it to the car park. Immediately to your right is the ancient church of St Oswald, although the castle itself had its own chapel.
Car parking is very close and probably adequate for the likely numbers. The loo facilities in the car park are not that enticing – best to wait until you are inside.
The car park is expensive, but free if you buy an entry ticket. If you don't have change, the ticket desk will take your car registration.
By Rail
Redmire station, which is less than a mile awa0,y is on the Wensleydale Heritage line, worth a trip in itself. For mainline trains, the nearest station is at Northallerton, some 25 miles away.
By Bus
Various local buses ply along the A684, but not with any great frequency. There is a good half mile to walk up to the castle from the nearest stop.
Bolton Castle is
situated in the beautiful countryside of Wensleydale. It faces south over the
dale, commanding far reaching views - an ideal location for a fortress built in
around 1399 to withstand Scottish invasions. For six months in 1568 it was used for the honourable detention of Mary,
Queen of Scots. It continued in occupation until the Civil War, when it was
‘slighted’ by Parliamentary troops.
The west curtain of Bolton Castle © Tudor Times 2015
