Tour details
Activity description
Visit Clifford's Tower, one of the largest fortresses in medieval England, built in the 1250s.
The great stone tower, which we now know as Cliffords Tower, was built in the 1250s, during the reign of King Henry III.
The fascinating story of Cliffords Tower will finally be told thanks to a major investment by English Heritage in one of York's most important heritage sites.
For much of the 14th and 15th centuries, Cliffords Tower served as a treasury, public treasury, mint, prison, and seat of royal power. During the Civil War (1642–1649), Cliffords Tower was captured by Royalists while the city was under siege.
In 1684, the tower was reduced to a shell after a fire. Eventually, most of the castle's buildings were destroyed when a new prison and courthouse were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving Cliffords Tower as the main remnant of York Castle.
Notes:
Opening hours:
March 23 to October 27: 10:00 - 17:00
October 28–March 30: 10:00–16:00. Last entry is 1 hour before closing. Closed on December 24–25.
Highlights
- Climb the steep steps of the old mound to enter the old castle building.
- Admire views of the city, including the majestic York Minster.
- Investigate the tower's unusual four-lobed design through the tactile model in the courtyard.
- Explore the tower's interior to imagine the different chapters of its history, from its time as a royal treasury and treasure house to its time as a military object.
What includes and does not include
Meeting point
Tower Street, York, Yorkshire del Norte, YO1 9SA.
Do you have any questions about this experience?
Talk to us and receive help with the reservation!
