Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum

Is it right for my child?

• All ages: the official Culture North Yorkshire page says the castle is for all ages to enjoy all year round.
• Younger children: the newly renovated Castle Critters Activity Room has crafting, LEGO, a cosy reading corner, foam blocks and a play kitchen.
• Castle fans: the remains of the King’s Tower rise above the cliffs of the River Nidd. Interpretation panels explain how the tower worked as part of the fortress.
• Curious minds: the Courthouse Museum has an original Tudor courtroom and interactive exhibits on the history of the castle and the town.
• History in brief: the Normans built the first known castle in the early 12th century.
• Sensory notes: the secret tunnel, called the Sallyport, has low light levels, stairs and narrow spaces. It is normally closed to visitors and opens for guided tours.
• Safety: the official pages describe dramatic cliffs above the river and uneven ground with historic steps. Keep young children close.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Check the day. November to March: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3.30pm. April to October: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
• Remember that the castle and museum are closed on Bank Holiday Mondays.
• Bring a bank card. The Tourist Information Centre page says card payments only.
• Plan a toilet stop. There are no public toilets at the castle, but free toilets sit in Castle Yard car park near the entrance.
• Wear sturdy shoes. The site has uneven surfaces and historic steps throughout.
• Want the secret tunnel? Sallyport Tours run on selected dates, cost extra, and advance booking is advised.
• Visiting before 31 December? Ask about the free Festive Donkey Trail.

Prices and tickets

• Adult: £4.40
• Child (up to and including 16 years): £2.50
• Concession: £3.40
• Family: £13, for any group of adults and children up to five people.
• Season tickets are available for the Royal Pump Room Museum and Knaresborough Castle.
• Sallyport Tours are charged separately. The 2026 tour pages offered 10% off your castle and museum admission with a Sallyport Tour ticket.

The official price list does not mention free entry for babies or toddlers.

Games (April to September only): putting costs £3.40 an hour for adults and £2.70 for a child or concession. Crown green bowls cost £4.70 an hour for adults and £3.10 for a child or concession. Hiring a set of woods costs £2.90. Tickets and equipment come from the Courthouse Museum, and you can just turn up and play.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Uneven ground: the official access notes list uneven surfaces and historic steps throughout the site. They do not mention pushchair routes.
• Toilets: there are no public toilets at Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum. Free toilets in Castle Yard car park, near the castle entrance, have step-free access and an accessible toilet.
• Toilet hours: Culture North Yorkshire says 8am to 8pm daily. The council’s own toilet page says 8am to 6pm from 1 November to 31 March, so plan for the earlier time in winter.
• Baby changing: the Castle Yard car park toilets have baby changing facilities.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café at the castle. The shop in the Courthouse Museum sells toys and treats for young children. The Tourist Information Centre in the same building can tell you where to eat in Knaresborough.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Knaresborough Castle and Courthouse Museum, Castle Yard, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8AS.
• By train: about a 10 minute walk up a steep hill from Knaresborough station. There are direct trains from Leeds, Harrogate and York.
• By bus: about a 5 minute walk from Knaresborough bus station. The electric Route 1 runs from Harrogate Bus Station.
• No on-site parking: Castle Yard car park, just outside the castle grounds, has limited pay and display spaces and four accessible bays.
• Castle Yard car park charges: £1 for 1 hour, £1.50 for 2 hours and £2.40 for 4 hours, the maximum stay. It has 70 spaces in total.
• Chapel Street car park: £0.90 for 1 hour, £1.50 for 2 hours and £2.40 for 4 hours, the maximum stay. The official castle page also mentions pay and display parking in the Market Place.
• Disabled visitors: the council says parking in both car parks is free for disabled users.

When to visit

• Winter, November to March: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3.30pm.
• Summer, April to October: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
• Grounds: the official page says the castle grounds are open all year round.
• Christmas: the official events page lists a Festive Donkey Trail until 31 December, Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3.30pm. Children help Castle Donkey find his lost Christmas deliveries. The trail is free, finishers get a sticker, and admission charges may apply.
• Christmas and New Year: the official pages list no Christmas or New Year closure dates, so check before you travel.
• Sallyport Tours: the 2026 tour dates advertised were 19 July to 6 September, plus 31 October and 1 November. Tours depend on suitable weather. No later dates were listed when we checked on 12 November 2026.
• Games: putting and bowls run from April to September, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Additional needs and disability support

The official access information is short, so here it is in full.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Knaresborough Castle cost for children?

A child ticket is £2.50, for children up to and including 16 years. A family ticket costs £13 for any group of adults and children up to five people. The price list does not mention free entry for young children.

Is Knaresborough Castle open in winter?

Yes, but on fewer days. From November to March it opens Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3.30pm. The official page says the castle grounds are open all year round.

Are there toilets at Knaresborough Castle?

Not at the castle itself. Free toilets with baby changing are in Castle Yard car park, near the entrance. The council lists winter hours of 8am to 6pm, while Culture North Yorkshire says 8am to 8pm daily.

Can you go inside the secret tunnel at Knaresborough Castle?

The tunnel is normally closed to visitors, and the official pages describe guided Sallyport Tours as the way to see it. Tours run on selected dates at an extra charge. Access is by stairs, parts may be slippery and the light is low.

Is Knaresborough Castle suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?

Access is limited. The official page lists uneven surfaces, historic steps and limited wheelchair access due to steep terrain. It does not mention pushchair routes.

Where do you park for Knaresborough Castle?

There is no on-site parking. Castle Yard car park, just outside the grounds, has limited pay and display spaces with a 4 hour maximum stay. Chapel Street and the Market Place also have pay and display parking.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Culture North Yorkshire pages for Knaresborough Castle, its history, the King’s Tower, the Tourist Information Centre, the Festive Donkey Trail and Sallyport Tours, and the North Yorkshire Council pages for games in parks, Castle Yard toilets and Castle Yard car park. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.