Come on in .... to Bolton Castle!
Monday, 31st July 2023
Bolton Castle near Leyburn, North Yorkshire: August to November, Events for 2023
Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. Originally built as one of the finest and most luxurious homes in the land, the castle bears the scars of over 600 years of fascinating history. Still in the private ownership of Lord Bolton, the direct descendant of the castle’s original owner Sir Richard le Scrope, the castle provides a programme of events throughout the open season, great for families, history buffs and those who just enjoy fresh air and glorious views. The castle, gardens and tea room are fully open from 18 March to 2 November 2023. Falconry displays take place every day and are free with entry. Tickets cost £12.50 per adult, £9 per child and £48 family for castle and gardens. We encourage our visitors to book their tickets ahead via our website or on our App.
Events are free with entry unless otherwise stated and take place from 10am to 5pm in-line with the garden and castle opening times.
Please check our website ahead of visiting on a non-event day in case of castle closure for private events. Check out our new App and download here – keep up to date with everything going on at Bolton Castle on a daily basis, find out all about our forthcoming events and book tickets – all on your phone.
New for 2023: If you’re unable to make any of our fantastic events this year, why not think about a Full Day Castle Experience? Enjoy a full day on site, see behind the scenes at the castle, enjoy an archery lesson, help with our falconry displays and feed our wild boars. Oh and did we mention enjoying a lovely lunch? It’s a brilliant day and unique! Perfect for a gift or for those with an interest in all-things-castle or just treat yourself. See website for details.
An Audience with Mary Queen of Scots
Tuesday 1 August, 6.45 to 8pm £13pp
Wednesday 2 August & Thursday 3 August 11am to 5pm (free with entry).
Back by popular demand, families can come and meet Mary Queen of Scots as Lord and Lady Scrope prepare for her arrival at Bolton Castle. An interactive session for all ages. The execution of Mary Queen of the Scots on the 8 February 1587 shocked Europe to the core and gave rise to an oft-maligned Queen but an instantly recognisable figure, adored by many to this day. Jane Collier of the Marie Stuart Society and re-enactor with Discover Buxton, will give you an intimate view of this gifted, charming, fun loving and intensely loyal Queen, her stay at Bolton Castle still a time of hope for her, and her descent into despair during her 19 years of illegal imprisonment before the inevitable tragic end.
The Handlebards – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Friday 4 August, from 6pm (book tickets online)
Join the acclaimed theatre company, The HandleBards at Bolton Castle, for a hilarious, high-octane production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Four young lovers find themselves lost in a magical forest, where the Fairy King and Queen are fighting for the possession of a changeling boy. A group of amateur actors head to the same forest to rehearse for a play. Humans and fairies collide and hilarity ensue. Tickets cost £19.50 each and are available through the website. This is an outdoor play so please bring a deckchair (if desired), picnic and wet weather clothing just in case!
Living History Weekend – Tudor Times
Saturday 12 August & Sunday 13 August (free with entry)
One of our most popular weekends, this year, we’re welcoming Mary Queen of Scots as well to bring history alive and provide a taste of Tudor life at a key moment in our country’s history. Our living historians are on site to help you discover more about the life and times of, arguably, Bolton Castle’s most famous resident, Mary Queen of Scots. Come and see the rooms where she spent the six months of her captivity. There is also a castle tour at 12.30pm. Free with Entry.
Living History 17th Century Civil War Weekend
Saturday 19 August & Sunday 20 August, 10am to 5pm (free with entry)
Join us to find out about life in the castle during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, better known as the English Civil Wars. Held for King Charles 1, this was the only occasion when the castle came under siege, the garrison eventually surrendering when they had run out of food on November 5th 1645. Join us for a day in the life of those involved in the Civil War, and experience a slice of life under siege at the castle.
15th Century Medieval Music in the Dales
Thursday 7 to Saturday 10 September, 10am to 5pm (free with entry).
The September festival at Bolton Castle remains the heart of Medieval Music in the Dales and is perfect for anyone who loves music and history. Come and listen and find out more about the wonderful variety of medieval music – and if you play or sing, come and be part of the music-making! Medieval Music in the Dales 2023 is a journey to the fifteenth century, and an exploration of the many transitions of that fascinating time. Musically, there was just so much going on in the fifteenth century, with music moving ever more towards the styles and harmonic textures of the renaissance. For information, visit Medieval Music in the Dales medieval music festival Yorkshire
Lord Scrope’s Household: Tudor Living History Weekend
Saturday 23 September & Sunday 24 September, 10am to 5pm (free with entry).
Come visit Lord Scrope's Tudor household and learn about the turbulent time of the Border Reivers, infamous raiding families including Armstrongs, Elliots, Grahams, Johnstones, Maxwells, Scotts, Nixons and many others who terrorised the Anglo-Scottish borderland. It is the year 1596 and trouble is brewing between England and Scotland. The notorious Scottish reiver, Kinmont Willie has been broken out of Carlisle castle after being captured under dubious circumstances on a day of truce. Lord Scrope of Bolton, responsible for keeping order on the West March is furious at having a prize prisoner snatched from him and has ordered a raid into Scottish territory that threatens to “shake loose the border”. Visit the castle as the household prepares for the foray. Experience the sights and sounds of a busy Tudor kitchen responsible for feeding the garrison, see the work of the tradespeople who kept the castle running day in day out and learn how you would fight and survive as a common soldier in Britain's debatable lands.
Living History Weekend – Civil War Weekend
Saturday 7 October & Sunday 8 October, 10am to 5pm (free with entry)
Join our wonderful Living History team (complete in costume) to find out about life in the castle during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, better known as the English Civil Wars. Held for King Charles 1, this was the only occasion when the castle came under siege, the garrison eventually surrendering when they had run out of food on 5 November 1645. This is a real insight into life in a castle brought alive for visitors of all ages and an experience brought alive within and without the castle walls.
Halloween Events
Saturday 14 October to Thursday 2 November, 10am to 5pm (free with entry).
Come and enjoy our family Halloween trail with pumpkins, witches, skeletons and all things Halloween. Where better to see and hear such things than at a spooky castle – good for little ones as well as all the family. Storytelling is at 1pm on 21 to 28 October.
In addition and to really give spooky a capital ‘S’, Bolton Castle is running two ‘Castle by Lanternlight’ tours this year from 6 – 8pm. The dates are the Monday 23 October and Friday 27 October. The numbers are limited to 30 people and this year we are including a meal and a glass of wine or soft drink with either Wild Boar Stew or Vegetable Tagine. Tickets are £30 per person. Visit our website to book your ticket. Bolton Castle in Wensleydale, family days out, falconry and weddings.
ENDS
See Bolton Castle in Wensleydale, family days out, falconry and weddings for all events from now until 2 November 2023.
All photos: Credit Gareth Buddo
For general information on Bolton Castle, visit https://www.boltoncastle.co.uk/
For media information and images, and photo and filming opportunities, please contact Kendra Grahame-Clarke at Kendra PR on 07910 214474 or email Kendra@kendrapr.co.uk
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Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET
Tel: 01969 623981 Email info@boltoncastle.co.uk
https://www.boltoncastle.co.uk/