Bolton Castle, one of the country's best
preserved Medieval castles
The castle sits proudly amidst Wensleydale countryside close to the market town of Leyburn in North Yorkshire. Bolton Castle welcomes visitors from 2nd March to 1st November each year to enjoy five floors of castle and extensive gardens. Bolton Castle has been owned by the same family for over 600 years and remains in their care to this day.
Famed for its stunning views and dressed rooms depicting the life of the Le Scrope family, the Castle is the location for what is thought to be the longest period of captivity for Mary Queen of Scots. Often used as a film location due to little evidence of 21st century infrastructure surrounding and within the castle, and its integrity as one of the most complete castles in the country, Bolton Castle has been featured on Channel 5’s recently acclaimed drama Anne Boleyn and the global success, Game of Thrones, among other films and TV programmes. Bolton Castle is also available to hire year-round for private events and weddings.
Surrounded by gardens, which include the recently revitalised walled herb gardens, vineyard, maze and lawns, private garden tours are now available for groups with Head Gardener Jason Hanslip and Elizabeth Carter who is responsible for the regenerated Herb Gardens. The gardens are divided into ‘rooms’ which showcase a variety of plantings, many which are appropriate to the history of the castle. The revitalised Herb Gardens opened in early 2023 and Elizabeth, who has spent the last five years thoroughly researching medieval plants, has drawn on information from hundreds of websites, books and manuscripts and then completely re-planting the Herb Garden.
Set at the foot of the south-facing Castle walls herbs and plants were most likely grown close to the castle walls for very specific uses, both culinary and medicinal. Set out as a ‘physic garden’, there are also borders dedicated to ‘Poisons & Plague’ and ‘Magic & Myth’ with over 100 different types of plants that might well have originally been grown at Bolton Castle hundreds of years ago.
Groups can also enjoy tours of the Castle with our master storyteller who recounts key moments in the Castle’s history and paints the picture of life here in war and peace. It's a brilliant way to immerse yourself in the Castle’s history and find out more than you ever thought you needed to know! Visitors can also savour fresh and delicious food served in the Tea Room using ingredients often sourced from the Bolton Estate and indulge in homemade cakes, hot and cold dishes and a wide selection of drinks all served within the Castle’s Tea Room recently awarded a Five Star Hygiene Award.
Groups can enjoy falconry displays, wild boar feeding, archery displays and a programme of fantastic events throughout the season, including re-enactor and historical events which bring to life the story of the Castle. For group bookings call 01969 623981 or info@boltoncastle.co.uk.
