Richmond Castle
North Yorkshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Darlington, 11.2 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Tower St., Richmond DL10 4QW
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Charged public parking in the marketplace is not run by English Heritage; two hours free for Blue Badge holders.
- Access
- The Keep and Cockpit are reached only by original stone steps; a stair lift serves the first-floor visitor centre, and the main Ward is mostly mown grass with some gravel.
- Facilities
- An accessible unisex toilet is in the visitor centre; the shop and cafe sell snacks and locally-made ice cream in summer.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome, with a dog bowl provided by the entrance.
- Safety
- Two wells on site are covered with mesh; a large drop overlooking the river is signposted, and cobbles can be slippery, especially when wet.
One of the oldest stone castles in England, with a keep you can climb all the way to the top of - dogs included - across multiple levels of steps, plus a small museum and gardens in the grounds. Reviewers consistently say a visit runs much longer than expected, with information boards at every turn that bring the site alive rather than leaving it as bare ruins.
Worth the trip
Climbing to the top of the keep - reviewers highlight that dogs are allowed the whole way up, which is unusual for a site with this many stairs.
Before you go
Budget at least two hours rather than the half-hour some visitors expect; wheelchair accessibility is limited in parts of the grounds, so check ahead if that's a concern.
Reviewers consistently rate Richmond Castle very highly, praising the well-kept grounds, the ability to climb all the way to the top of the main tower, and the small on-site museum. Several mention it takes longer to explore than expected - often two hours or more - and that it can get windy at height. Wheelchair accessibility is somewhat limited in places, and one reviewer notes the nearest car park has a strict two-hour limit.
“Great Castle to walk around, explore and lots of history -obviously 😂 only criticism is that the only car park nearby is at Market Place which is limited to 2 hours no return. Great views from the top too.”- David Anderson, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Great Castle to walk around, explore and lots of history -obviously 😂 only criticism is that the only car park nearby is at Market Place which is limited to 2 hours no return.” - David Anderson
- How long to allow
- “We ended up spending at least 2 hours.” - Tom Anstruther
- Terrain & accessibility
- “It’s lots of steps across multiple levels but it’s well worth it.” - Kristy Turner
- Facilities
- “Take a picnic and eat it on the field while the kids are running around!” - Emily Willem
Common questions about Richmond Castle
Where is Richmond Castle?
Richmond Castle is in North Yorkshire, England, at Tower St., Richmond DL10 4QW.
Do you need a ticket to visit Richmond Castle?
Yes - Richmond Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Richmond Castle?
Climbing to the top of the keep - reviewers highlight that dogs are allowed the whole way up, which is unusual for a site with this many stairs.
Is Richmond Castle a ruin or still intact?
Richmond Castle is a partial ruin.
