Cawood Castle
North Yorkshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- Landmark Trust
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Nearest station
- Ulleskelf, 3.7 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
Castle Gatehouse, Cawood, Selby YO8 3SG
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
A gatehouse - virtually all that survives of what was once a palace of the Archbishops of York - now run by the Landmark Trust as a self-catering holiday let, so the interior is only accessible to guests actually staying there. Cardinal Wolsey stayed here in 1530, in the months before his arrest for treason under Henry VIII; everyone else can walk the public footpath alongside to see the medieval features from outside.
Who to know
Cardinal Wolsey · stayed here in 1530 before his arrest for treason
Worth the trip
Staying overnight, if you can book it - reviewers who've done so call it a genuine Landmark Trust highlight, not just a novelty.
Before you go
There's no public access inside unless you're a paying guest; non-guests should stick to the footpath along the side of the building, and the small number of reviews here reflects how few people actually get to experience the interior.
With only a handful of reviews on file, it's hard to draw a strong consensus, but the available accounts are positive. One visitor explains that public access is limited to the footpath alongside the historic gatehouse and banqueting hall, since the building itself is a private Landmark Trust holiday let; two others, who stayed there, describe an enjoyable week in a lovely village setting. There isn't enough data here to point to any recurring criticism.
Gatehouse holiday let
“Stayed here as its a Landmark trust property so its private. Really had a nice week. Village is lovely and did plenty of walking.”- Emma Dickson, visitor review
Common questions about Cawood Castle
Where is Cawood Castle?
Cawood Castle is in North Yorkshire, England, at Castle Gatehouse, Cawood, Selby YO8 3SG.
Can you visit Cawood Castle?
Cawood Castle operates as a hotel, so access is normally for staying guests rather than day visitors. Contact the hotel directly about staying or visiting.
Can you stay overnight at Cawood Castle?
Yes - Cawood Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Cawood Castle?
Staying overnight, if you can book it - reviewers who've done so call it a genuine Landmark Trust highlight, not just a novelty.
Is Cawood Castle a ruin or still intact?
Cawood Castle is a partial ruin - Gatehouse holiday let.
