Quick answer
Scarborough Castle is an English Heritage ruin on a grassy clifftop headland, with a museum, views over both bays and space to run. On 13 November 2026, the calendar showed it open weekends only, 10am to 4pm, up to 20 December. Under 5s are free, and a child ticket (5 to 17) cost £4.25 to £5.50. Most of the visit is outdoors. The access page warns of unfenced ditches, moat and ramparts, and on-site parking is only for disabled visitors who pre-book.
Is it right for my child?
- Space to explore: English Heritage describes a 16-acre headland, bigger than 12 football pitches, kept as a wildflower meadow. It suggests picnics and games there.
- Castle ruins: there are viewing platforms in the Inner Bailey and the Great Tower. The remains of a Roman signal station are on the cliff edge.
- Museum: the Master Gunner’s House exhibition includes a replica Bronze Age sword and a Civil War cannonball.
- For younger visitors: the facilities page lists free activity sheets, an audio tour and an investigative story box.
- Safety: the access page says “Remains are hazardous due to unfenced ditches, moat and ramparts”, under a “Sheer Drop” heading. The site map marks a sheer drop and steep ground with no access. Keep small children close.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Go on a Saturday or Sunday. On 13 November 2026, the calendar showed every weekday closed from 13 November to 26 December.
- Book online by midnight the day before for the lower price. English Heritage says paid tickets cannot be changed or refunded.
- Plan your parking. There is no parking on site, except pre-booked spaces for disabled visitors.
- Arrive by 3.30pm. The venue page gives this as last entry.
Prices and tickets
Under 5s do not need to pay. English Heritage’s visit FAQs say you can book them a free “infant” ticket.
On 13 November 2026, the booking calendar showed these prices on every date we clicked, from 13 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The first figure includes a voluntary donation.
- Advance online: adult £9.35 or £8.50; child (5 to 17) £4.67 or £4.25; concession £8.50 or £7.65.
- Advance family: 2 adults and up to 3 children £23.37 or £21.25; 1 adult and up to 3 children £14.02 or £12.75.
- On the day: adult £11.00 or £10.00; child £5.50 or £5.00; concession £10.00 or £9.00.
- On-the-day family: 2 adults and up to 3 children £27.50 or £25.00; 1 adult and up to 3 children £16.50 or £15.00.
On the day, you can buy online or on arrival at full price. The prices page says prices change with the season. Tickets are valid all day.
English Heritage members go free and can bring up to six children free. If English Heritage has to close a site, its FAQs say booked tickets are refunded automatically.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Ground: the access page says the castle and grounds are reached mainly over grass and cobbles, with some bound gravel. The official pages do not mention pushchairs.
- Steps: there are steps to the Castle Keep. The access page says these can be avoided by alternative routes.
- Toilets and baby changing: the facilities page lists male and female toilets on site with baby changing facilities.
- Accessible toilets are marked as available on the access page.
- Not available: high chairs and bottle or food warming are marked as not available.
Food and drink
English Heritage runs a coffee shed and an ice cream van here. They serve tea, coffee, cold drinks, cakes and soft-serve ice cream, plus dog treats. The official pages do not give their opening hours.
Picnics are welcome in the castle grounds, and the site map marks picnic tables.
Getting there and parking
The address is Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 1HY, east of the town centre.
- Train: Scarborough station is 1 mile away.
- No general parking on site: only disabled visitors can park there, by booking. English Heritage suggests the Park and Ride or the pay and display Marine Drive car park.
- Park and Ride: North Yorkshire Council says both Scarborough sites are open from 29 March to 1 November 2026, so not in mid-November or December.
- Marine Drive car park (YO11 1PG): the council lists 364 spaces, including 2 disabled spaces. It says charges apply 9am to 6pm, 1 March to 31 October only.
- Paying: Marine Drive is ticketless, so when charges apply you pay on arrival and enter your registration.
- Blue Badge: holders park free at Marine Drive when displaying a valid blue badge.
- Disabled parking at the castle: limited spaces must be booked on 01723 372451. Staff at the gate direct you to informal parking on grass.
When to visit
- 14 November to 20 December 2026: on 13 November 2026, the calendar showed Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm, and every weekday closed.
- Christmas week: the calendar showed it closed from 21 to 26 December, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It showed Sunday 27 December open.
- 28 December 2026 to 3 January 2027: the calendar showed it open every day, 10am to 4pm, including New Year’s Day.
- Events: on 13 November 2026, the events page listed none.
- Weather: most of the visit is outdoors on the headland, so pick a dry day if you can.
Additional needs and disability support
English Heritage publishes access information for Scarborough Castle, including a Tramper scooter for hire.
- Companions: the general FAQs say a disabled visitor can bring a companion free with an “essential companion” ticket.
- Wheelchairs: grass and cobbles, with some bound gravel. The access page recommends a strong pusher. Wheelchair loan is marked as not available.
- Tramper: one all-terrain scooter for anyone over 14 with limited mobility. Under 18s need an accompanying adult during training and use.
- Tramper booking: slots are 10.30am and 1.30pm, for 2.5 hours. Email at least 48 hours ahead, or book through Outdoor Mobility.
- Tramper limits: maximum weight 25st (159kg). A very steep gradient stops it reaching the Great Tower area. It may not be offered in poor weather.
- Hearing: tour transcripts are available. The access page says the audio tour has a hearing loop and is included in admission.
- Sight: a touch screen virtual tour. Braille guides, Braille signage and torches are marked as not available.
- Not available: no adult changing area. The access page names St Nicholas Gardens, Foreshore Road (YO11 1NU) as the closest Changing Places toilet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scarborough Castle free for children?
Under 5s do not need to pay. On 13 November 2026, a child ticket (5 to 17) cost £4.67 or £4.25 if booked online by midnight the day before. On the day, it cost £5.50 or £5.00.
Is Scarborough Castle open in the week in winter?
Not before Christmas, on the calendar we checked on 13 November 2026. It showed weekends only up to 20 December, closed 21 to 26 December, and open daily from 28 December to 3 January.
Is there parking at Scarborough Castle?
Only pre-booked spaces for disabled visitors. English Heritage suggests Marine Drive car park or the Park and Ride. The council says the Park and Ride runs 29 March to 1 November 2026.
Can you take a pushchair to Scarborough Castle?
The official pages do not mention pushchairs. The access page describes grass and cobbles with some bound gravel, and steps to the Castle Keep that alternative routes avoid.
Are dogs allowed at Scarborough Castle?
Yes, on a lead. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Is Scarborough Castle good on a rainy day?
Only partly. The museum in the Master Gunner’s House is indoors, but the ruins and the headland are outdoors on the clifftop.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official English Heritage pages for Scarborough Castle, prices and opening times, facilities, access, directions and things to do, plus North Yorkshire Council’s Marine Drive car park and park and ride pages. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
