Name: Scarborough Castle
Address: Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY
Telephone: 01723 372451

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Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle is open, and operating normal winter opening hours within tier 2 restrictions. This means that some areas of your visit might be restricted. Full Covid-secure measures are in place, and you need to book your visit in advance.

How to book your visit

Keeping you safe

What to expect on your visit

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Address

Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY

Book your visit

What you need to know

We've made some changes to help keep you safe, and things might be a little different when you visit. Here's everything you need to know.

Do we need to Book?

Advance booking is now essential. We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. Make sure you've read our ticketing FAQ before you book.

Book Tickets

Booking FAQs

What parts of the site are open?
Castle - The castle and headland will be open as usual.

Café - Take away food and drinks will be available from the Coffee Shed.

Shop - The shop will be open.

Exhibition - The indoor exhibition will be closed.

What changes have you made to your facilities?
Toilets - Our toilets are open as usual.

Audio guides - You can enjoy an audio-tour at Scarborough Castle using your own device. Simply download the Guide ID podcatcher App from either the Google Play Store or App Store. Once downloaded search for Scarborough on the menu screen to access the audio guide. We recommend downloading the audio tour before your visit using password EHScarborough.

Plan your Visit

Keeping you Safe

We've made a number of changes to help keep you safe. Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

You can visit our reopening page for information on general safety measures we've taken to help keep you safe.

General Safety Information

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor areas. We won't be able to provide you with a face covering, so please come prepared so you don't miss out.

I still have questions.

The answers to all frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ page.

Read our FAQs

Things to See and Do

Scarborough Castle Timeline

1000-1 BCSeparate Settlements

Excavations suggest two distinct periods of habitation in about 800 BC and 500 BC.

4th-5th Centuries ADFirst Tower

A fortified tower is erected on the headland. It was probably one of many signal stations built on England's north-eastern coast by the Romans.

About 1000Post-Roman Settlement

A chapel is built within the foundations of the Roman signal station and a small cemetery created.

1130sLe Gros's Castle

William le Gros, Count of Aumâle, builds the castle. King Stephen makes him Earl of York.

Find out more about the history of Scarborough Castle

1150sRoyal Ownership

Henry II becomes king and demands the return of all royal castles. Scarborough passes to the Crown.

1159-69Expensive Renovations

Henry begins to rebuild the castle. He plants a new town beneath its walls and builds the great tower.

Read a description of Scarborough Castle

1202-12Royal Investment

King John spends more on Scarborough than on any other castle in the kingdom. He adds a new royal chamber block and an extensive outer wall.

1308-48Percy Additions

Henry Percy, 2nd Baron Percy, and his wife are granted licence to live in the castle. They build a bakehouse, brewhouse and kitchen in the inner bailey.

1484Last Royal Visit

Richard III is the last king to stay at the castle, when he assembles a fleet to resist the invasion of Henry Tudor, later Henry VII.

1536The Pilgrimage of Grace

Constable Sir Ralph Eure declares his support for Henry VIII against the Pilgrimage of Grace and is besieged in the castle. Although damaged by gunfire, the castle is held successfully.

1557Revolt

Thomas Stafford seizes the castle, hoping to raise a revolt against Queen Mary. The castle is easily captured and Stafford and his accomplices are executed

1645Civil War

Royalist Scarborough endures one of the bloodiest Civil War sieges. The walls of the great tower are sheared and half the building collapses during Parliamentarian attacks.

16 December 1914First World War Shelling

Two German warships fire more than 500 shells on the town and castle from the bay. There are 17 civilians killed and more than 80 seriously wounded.

1920-84Conservation and Repairs

The castle is taken into state guardianship. The 18th-century barracks block is demolished and the Roman signal station and later chapel are excavated.

1984-PresentCurrent Guardianship

The castle is placed in the care of English Heritage.

Learn more about Scarborough Castle

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Pickering Castle
15.65 miles from Scarborough Castle
Wheeldale Roman Road
15.88 miles from Scarborough Castle
Whitby Abbey
16.32 miles from Scarborough Castle

Pickering Castle
15.65 miles from Scarborough Castle
Skipsea Castle
22.28 miles from Scarborough Castle
Helmsley Castle
27.23 miles from Scarborough Castle

Nearby Places
- Pickering Castle
  15.65 miles from Scarborough Castle
- Wheeldale Roman Road
  15.88 miles from Scarborough Castle
- Whitby Abbey
  16.32 miles from Scarborough Castle
Similar Places
- Pickering Castle
  15.65 miles from Scarborough Castle
- Skipsea Castle
  22.28 miles from Scarborough Castle
- Helmsley Castle
  27.23 miles from Scarborough Castle

Gallery for Scarborough Castle

English Heritage

How to book your visit

Keeping you safe

What you need to know