Pickering Castle

Lovely castle set in a beautiful location. Would recommend a visit, our 2 kids enjoyed exploring the grounds. There are information boards to read going round and a small gift shop on site which also sells ice cream.

This is a castle to explore outside not inside (it would get 5 stars if both!). Walk round the exterior for free. It's atmospheric and you will see the Sally port in the moat. There is a small display in the old courthouse/Chapel. Great views. And great for kids to run around in.

A lovely day out. Staff were brilliant and there were lots of outdoor games to play (croquet, ring toss etc) that made it really enjoyable. Don't forget to walk around the outside too! A good amount to see and good signage. I recommend also stopping by Helmsley castle, if you have time.

What a lovely little castle ruin, fun little kids treasure hunt which entertained my little ones. Lots of space for kids to explore and learn some history at the same time. Staff absolutely fantastic, friendly, helpful & professional. Small gift shop. Run by English Heritage. Perfect visitors spot.

A Norman castle that was built to dominate North Yorkshire and now provides a couple of hours of interest for tourists. The castle is mostly ruins with only the curtain wall and a small chapel fully intact. The history of the castle is outlined in summary with a bit more generic history within the chapel. It’s a nice place to wander around with free parking, toilets and a small shop for the usual English Heritage souvenirs.

What a lovely castle. It is run by the English Heritage and the staff on entry were very friendly and welcoming.
After getting your ticket to enter (if you don't already belong to the English Heritage) you are informed it is set in a big circle.
There is only one building still standing but the others where the walls would have been are labelled with the rooms which gives you better understanding of what the layout was.
There are lots of informational boards dotted around and lots of different places to explore. It is very interesting to learn the history.
You can all go to the highest point where the Lord and Lady would have lived and this has fantastic views of pickering and the surrounding area.
There is also a little fairy trail the kids can follow if you want to partake.
I think it was a lovely adventure and would recommend anyone to go. You can walk everywhere but there are steps up and down to get to certain areas.
We also enjoyed a picnic in the castle and we were allowed to bring the dog in too.

Great that more heritage is kept alive, it is however only REMAINS. Do not go expecting a full castle to be stood before you, the site can be explored in about an hour and a half at a slow walking pace. Car parking at the Castle could be made more clear, as I ended up paying £5 for parking at a near by public car park.

Who’d have thought Pickering has a castle, and such an impressive ruin it is. My toddlers love the place, they love doing the fairy hunt. We’ve been a handful of times now and it’s never been very busy. Perfect place for a picnic. Staff have always been friendly and accommodating