Nice historical place to visit. Quite a lot of steep stairs up to the actual castle itself, so wouldn't recommend for people with limited mobility, no wheelchair access. Inside they have a small counter to purchase tickets and can also purchase a booklet with information on the place. We have english heritage memberships so didn't have to pay entrance fees. There is no shop there or any sorts of refreshments, nor are there any toilets. The place itself isn't that big to look around, it's a big round open room, there are some stone seats with built in speakers that tell individual stories relating to the building, each seat also has a printed text sheet so you can read it if you can quite hear it properly. There are some information panels to read around the room too. There's more stairs inside, there are some metal see through modern stairs that will take you up to a bridge you can walk across, that take you to openings with spiral stone stairs that lead you to the roof. If you don't like heights you probably wouldn't like them. On the roof itself it is wooden panelled and offers a good view of york, there are some built in seats if you want to sit down and some information panels. It's nice to see but there's not much to it, you can be in, looked around and done in 30 minutes, although we spent a while there as we were sitting for a while. Not sure it's worth the entrance fee if we would of had to pay but it was a nice piece of history to see. I wouldn't recommend coming just to see this as it will not take you very long, so I would try and tie it in with another attraction to make a visit to tork worthwhile if you...
Read moreThis ruined tower, standing on a grassy mound that is covered with daffodils in the spring, has been much restored and improved since my last visit a few years ago. It was once the keep of a mighty castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068. It's a long climb up a steep flight of stairs to get to the entrance. Adult admission at the door was £11.50 including a donation (£6.50 for children, £10.50 concessions, under 5's free), but you pay less if you book online in advance. I also bought a beautifully illustrated guidebook for £4.50, which includes a map and lots of information about the tower's history. It's basically a ruin, but you can still see original fireplaces, a medieval toilet, and the private chapel. Around the ground floor, there are info boards and also audio chairs where you can sit and listen to the stories of York residents who lived through the tumultuous and often tragic events of the castle's 1000 year history. Helpful volunteers were on hand to answer any questions. Modern staircases and walkways have made accessibility to the upper floor much easier, but you have to climb a spiral staircase (with a handrail) to get to the roof. Fantastic views of York that stretch for miles on a clear day, and the new wooden roof deck and seating made it easy and pleasant to walk around and view the city from all directions. Maps point out the main landmarks. Clifford's Tower is well worth a visit for both its fascinating history...
Read moreA Fascinating Slice of History with Stunning Views! We visited Clifford's Tower on a sunny day and were really impressed by the recent transformation. The new roof deck offers breathtaking 360-degree views of York, making it a fantastic spot for photography . The new internal walkways allow you to explore levels of the tower that were previously inaccessible. It was fascinating to see features like the royal chapel and the king's latrine . The interactive exhibits and 'whispering' listening seats that tell stories from the past are a great touch, especially for bringing the site's long and sometimes tragic history to life . A few things to note: be prepared for a steep climb with around 55 steps just to get to the entrance, and more uneven, original steps inside . There are no toilets or a cafe on site, but plenty are available nearby . While the entry fee felt a bit steep for the size of the site, the unique experience and the unparalleled views made it worthwhile for us. It's a compact but powerful historical visit. Highly recommended for history buffs and those seeking the best views in York. It's a great addition to a day out, especially when combined with the nearby York Castle Museum and...
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