The gift shop is full of traditional toys and books for children, tempting treats, accessories for the home and stunning souvenirs. Bolton Castle is the perfect place to find a present or memento of your holiday in the Dales. Bolton is one of the country’s best preserved medieval castles.
OPENING TIMES 2014 Open daily 10am-5pm from 15th February until 2nd November 2014 (4pm close in February and March).
THE ULTIMATE MEDIEVAL EXPERIENCE FALCONRY DISPLAYS Meet our magnificent Birds of Prey and experience incredible flying displays set against the spectacular backdrop of the Castle and beautiful Wensleydale.
WILD BOAR FEEDING & TALK Experience the excitement of Wild Boar feeding time! Learn more about these fascinating animals and help us feed them.
ARCHERY DEMONSTRATIONS Learn more about archery in sport, hunting and warfare during our Medieval Archery talks. Children can have a go with our authentic longbow.
Due to filming taking place in February and March the daily timetable may be subject to change and access to certain areas may be limited. We will also close early for weddings on some Saturdays (inc. 26th April & 10th May) – our last entry will be at 1pm and we will close at 2pm.
ADMISSION CHARGES Castle, Gardens and Grounds Adults: £8.50 Concessions (Over 60s, Students & Children aged 5-18): £7.00 Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 3 concessions, must include at least 1 child): £30.00
Gardens Only Adults: £3.00 Concessions (Over 60s, Students & Children aged 5-18): £2.00 Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 3 concessions, must include at least 1 child): £10.00 SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
As featured on ITV1’s “The Dales”
Dogs are welcome in the car park, however, we regret that they are not allowed in the Castle or Gardens.
Access
10:30 Archery Demonstration (Courtyard) 11:00 Owl Display (Courtyard)
Falconry
14:00 Flying Display (Garden)
Please be aware that in poor weather conditions the falconry experience may be limited, in the interests of the birds’ welfare.
15:00 Archery Demonstration (Courtyard)
THE ULTIMATE MEDIEVAL EXPERIENCE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please be aware that the castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is not easily accessible for those with reduced mobility as spiral stairs and uneven surfaces exist throughout the building and grounds. Please see our website for a full access statement.
DAILY EVENTS
Bolton Castle
15:30 Owl Display (Courtyard)
NEW FOR 2014
16:30 Wild Boar Feeding Time (Boar Park)
EXCITING NEW FLYING DISPLAYS • HISTORY TO GO APP
New for 2014 NEW FLYING DISPLAYS Our flying displays will become even more spectacular this season as we welcome new birds to our flying team and move our display ground.
NEW CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED INFORMATION BOARDS Attractive, colourful and interesting new information boards for children will help them learn more about life in a medieval castle.
Bolton Castle, Near Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET Telephone: 01969 623981 | Fax: 01969 623332 info@boltoncastle.co.uk | www.boltoncastle.co.uk
www.boltoncastle.co.uk
GARDENS The Castle gardens have been restored along medieval lines and include a well-stocked herb garden, rose garden, walled vineyard, bowling green and maze as well as the birds of prey on their weathering ground and our bee observation hive (seasonal). Children will love finding the centre of the maze or trying our Garden activity trails.
HISTORY
Bolton is one of the country’s best preserved medieval castles. It is situated in the heart of Wensleydale with stunning views over the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Bolton Castle played a significant role, both locally and nationally, in many of the most important political and religious events between the 14th and 17th Century, including:
Completed in 1399 by Sir Richard Le Scrope (Chancellor of England to Richard II), its scars bear testament to over 600 years of fascinating history.
• Involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace • Mary Queen of Scots’ six month imprisonment here • Royalist stronghold in the Civil War with a six month siege.
Amazingly over one third of the rooms remain fully intact and, with the restored medieval gardens and maze, provide fantastic all weather entertainment for the whole family.
The castle remains in the private ownership of the direct descendants of Sir Richard Le Scrope, who first built it. Our new Castle timeline and Family Tree information boards will allow visitors to learn more about the family history including: • how Sir Richard Le Scrope may have been Chaucer’s ‘Knight’
Top: View South towards Penhill. Above: The Great Chamber. Below: History in action in Mary Queen of Scots’ Bedchamber.
TEA ROOM Situated in the the beautiful and atmospheric Guest Hall, our tea room serves a selection of homemade and locally produced hot meals, soups, sandwiches, snacks and freshly baked cakes. Afternoon tea is served from 2:30pm and our Yorkshire Tapas board is always a popular choice with visitors. Experience a friendly welcome and excellent service in the castle’s impressive Guest Hall, where visitors have enjoyed hospitality for over six hundred years. Large groups please book in advance.
GIFT SHOP The gift shop is full of traditional toys and books for children, tempting treats, accessories for the home and stunning souvenirs. Bolton Castle is the perfect place to find a present or memento of your holiday in the Dales.
• where the Scrope family were mentioned in William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Henry V and Richard III • when Archbishop Scrope, nephew of Sir Richard, was executed by Henry IV and almost canonised
HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN • Medieval nursery filled with period toys and games to play
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 2014 Tudor Life Weekend*
• Try your hand at calligraphy • Medieval costumes, loan included in admission • Fantastic childrens’ trails and activity books • Childrens’ outdoor activity rucksacks • Can you find the centre of the maze? • Feed the boar • Have a go at archery • See our friendly Wensleydale sheep
Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th February (10am-4pm) Living history event
Under Siege*
WEDDINGS The Castle has Civil Wedding, Drinks and Entertainments licences and provides a spectacular and unique setting to celebrate your special day. Please contact the castle for a wedding brochure or to arrange a viewing.
SCHOOL ACTIVITY DAYS We are now offering an exciting range of opportunities for schools and groups of young people to visit Bolton Castle and learn more about what castle life was really like. Different options for school visits include full activity days, themed guided tours, and teacher led activities. New for 2014: Learn about Medieval and Tudor Music and Dance with our wonderful new workshops provided by the fantastic Trouvere minstrels.
GROUP VISITS AND PACKAGES We offer a discounted rate on admission for groups of 15 people or more. Groups can explore the castle by themselves or book a private guided tour with one of our excellent guides at an additional charge of £2.00 a head. Group visits must be booked in advance to receive the discount.
EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS Join the Friends of Bolton Castle and enjoy the unique opportunity to help bring this incredible castle back to life! Please contact Katie at katie.boggis@boltoncastle.co.uk for information on any of the above.
Make a galleon, design a helmet and more
Spanish Armada Weekend* Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st August (10am-5pm)
Sunday 30th March (12-3pm) Afternoon tea with glass of Prosecco. £12.50, BA
Meet the household as they prepare for invasion
Eggcellent Easter!*
Friday 26th September (from 7:30pm)
Wars of the Roses*
£55 per person. Only one person per experience.
A Spanish Invasion*
Mothers’ Day Special Afternoon Tea
Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th May (10am-5pm) Trouvere present their musical instrumentarium!
Join our experienced Falconer and spend an incredible morning learning about looking after and flying these beautiful birds. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the basics of falconry and will include plenty of time handling and flying the birds.
Monday 4th - Friday 8th August & Monday 11th - Friday 15th August (10am-5pm)
Monday 18th - Friday 22nd August & Monday 25th - Friday 29th August (10am-5pm)
Friday 14th March (from 7:30pm) Join us to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style £20 (includes two course meal), BE
Medieval Music and Dance*
HALF DAY FALCONRY EXPERIENCE
A Captive Queen!*
St Patrick’s Day Party
Saturday 19th April (from 7:30pm) Celebrate St George’s Day in style at Bolton Castle £20 (including 2 course meal), BE
£35 for 2 people.
Discover all about military life in the early 1300s
With jewellery making, costume collages and more
St George’s Day Party
Spend an hour walking in the beautiful surrounding countryside with our wonderful Harris Hawk flying to and from your fist.
Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th July (10am-5pm)
Monday 17th - Friday 21st February (10am-4pm) With educational craft activities, games and trails
Monday 7th April – Monday 21st April (10am-5pm) Enjoy Easter egg hunts and Easter crafts
HAWK WALK
Tournee*
Monday 26th - Friday 30th May (10am-5pm) With craft activities, games and trails
Medieval Banquet Experience an authentic Medieval banquet £25 (including 3 course meal) BE
Dracula’s Ghost Friday 17th October (from 7:30pm) The Best Cellar Theatre Company presents Dracula’s Ghost. Adults: £10, Children: £8 BA Pre theatre meals available from 5:30pm BA
Medieval Life Weekend* Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th October (10am-5pm) Living History Event
Medieval Murder Mystery
Medieval Life Weekend*
with The Chuffing Theatre Company
Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th June (10am-5pm) Living history event
Saturday 25th October (Departs Bedale 6:30pm) Tickets: £35, Call Wensleydale Railway on 08454 50 54 74
Father’s Day Sunday Lunch
Ghost Tour and Spooky Supper
Sunday 15th June (12-3:30pm) Sunday roast with local beer for Dad. £12.50, BA
Thurs 30th October (from 6pm)
The Comedy of Errors
£20 (includes 2 course meal and tour), BE
Tuesday 1st July (from 7:30pm) The Handlebards return to perform Shakespeare’s famous comedy. Tickets: Adults £12, Children £10, BA
Hallowe’en Party
Tour de Farce
Spooky Spectacular!
Friday 4th July (from 6:30pm) Murder Mystery with The Chuffing Theatre Company. £25, BE
Birds, Boar and Bees* Monday 21st - Friday 25th July & Monday 28th July - Friday 1st August (10am-5pm) Enjoy bird, boar and bee activities, games and trails
Join us for a harrowing ghost tour of Bolton Castle
Friday 31st October (from 7:30pm) Join us for our Halloween party. £10, BA Monday 27th – Friday 31st October (10am-5pm)* With spooky activities, trails and games
KEY *Normal Admission charges Apply BA: Booking Advised, BE: Booking Essential.