Castle Hill — Attraction in Kirklees

I recently visited Hill Castle in late August, and it was a truly beautiful experience. The sunset views were absolutely fabulous, offering a stunning 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscape. It can get a little windy, but that’s to be expected given the elevation on the hill.

The drive up to the hill is just as scenic as the top. The roads are narrow, so be cautious while driving, especially since the breathtaking views on your right can be a bit distracting! Trust me, it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road with such beauty all around. 😅

Access to the hill is well-organized, with clear signs displaying the traffic barrier closure times:

Traffic Barrier Closure Times:

• Nov to Feb: 4:30 pm • March to May: 7:00 pm • June to Aug: 9:00 pm • Sept to Oct: 7:00 pm • Opening time daily: 7:00 am

At the top of the hill, you’re greeted by the magnificent Victoria Tower. While I didn’t get a chance to explore the inside due to arriving close to sunset, here are the opening hours and prices for those interested:

Victoria Tower Opening Hours & Admission:

• Adult: £2.40 • Child: 65p • Family (2 adults and 2 children): £4.85

There are several days with open hours from noon till 4:30 pm, so definitely check the schedule before you go.

The hill can get crowded on weekends, especially when the weather is nice, but it’s such a vast space that you won’t feel overwhelmed. Parking was free when I arrived at sunset, although the car park itself could use a bit of improvement—it’s mainly broken concrete and tarmac.

Overall, Hill Castle is a must-visit for anyone in the area. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the gorgeous scenery...

My 'mother' kept me here at 12 years old to 'protect' me from the world. In truth, she was worried I would find love and leave her all alone. I recall hearing the phrase, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair." Since there were no doors, I let my 60ft of hair out the window for my mother to climb up. I also remember singing a lot to keep myself entertained. This tower was also the first time I found love. After singing, a prince stopped by and was in awe. He wanted to enter the tower, but didn't know how. After he saw how my 'mother' got in, he tried to do the same. He came back and yelled, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair." I thought it was my mother, but when I saw a man in my room, I was afraid. He professed his love for me after hearing me sing and I was so touched. We agreed to marry each other, but didn't know how to escape together. I told him to bring me silk every time he visited me, so I could weave a ladder and escape. This is one of the reasons why I love the tower. Unfortunately, it wasn't all smiles and rainbows. One day, I was pulling my 'mother' up to my room and I felt weak. I asked her "why it was difficult to pull her up than the young prince." I forgot I was supposed to keep my relationship a secret. Furthermore, I was pregnant. My mother lashed out at me and cut my long hair off. She banished me from the towers and made me live in the forest with my unborn twins. That's the last memory I have of the tower. The garden is beautiful, the view of the sky is immaculate, the architecture is stunning. Come to see it, but whatever you do, avoid the sorceress! Protect your...

Great views of the town even from the base of the tower (the tower itself is occasionally open to climb for a fee at weekends an during school holidays). You can see over the town to identify various key buildings and viaducts, and also across to the Pennines including Holme Moss Radio Transmitter or looking East to Emley Moor TV mast. There is a short circular walk around the earthworks with some information boards for those interested in the history of the site. It is often very windy on the top even in summer so bring a good windproof coat and check the weather forecast. On bad days the wind can be so strong you can't stand up. It is a good walk from the town centre, or for those feeling less energetic there is a shorter walk on good paths from Almondbury village centre. For those wishing to drive parking on Castle Hill Side and climbing the steps is often easiest as the access road to the top car park is narrow and awkward when meeting vehicles going the other way. The access to the main car park is also locked overnight so if you want to see the sunset you need to park lower down to avoid getting locked in until the...