Bolton Castle's Summer Events
Monday, 11th May 2026
Bolton Castle Announces Summer & Autumn Events
Bolton Castle, one of the jewels in the crown of North Yorkshire, continues with its acclaimed programme of family events across the summer.
One of the country’s best preserved medieval castles, Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire, offers a great day out for visitors. The castle has remained in the same family’s ownership for over 600 years and bears the scars of its history. Just ten minutes’ drive from Leyburn, a day out here includes five floors of castle with a dungeon, plus beautiful gardens, maze and tea room, daily falconry displays, have-a-go archery and wild boar feeding. Bolton Castle offers a diverse range of events, for all visitors, including the renowned re-enactor days, plus storytelling, trails, and open-air theatre. Perfect for families, history buffs and garden lovers, and those that just enjoy a day out in the fresh air. It’s the perfect location for all interests and budgets.
Tickets remain at the same price as 2024 at £15 per adult, £12.50 per child (children are 5 to 18 years old, children aged 4 and under are free) and £60 family for castle and gardens. Concessions available for 67-year-olds and over. Tickets to the gardens only are £6 per adult and concessions £5 per person, family £25. Car parking is £5 per vehicle. Events are mostly free with entry (please check the website for details), and run between 10am to 5pm, unless stated otherwise on the listing. The castle is open until 1st November 2026. Please check the website ahead of visiting on a non-event day in case of castle closure for private events.
Lord Scrope’s Living History Weekend
Saturday 13 May & Sunday 14 May
Five of Bolton Castle’s historians are on site to bring the lives of the Tudors alive, in particular the Border Reivers. Visit Lord Scrope's Tudor household and learn about the turbulent time of these Border Reivers, the infamous raiding families 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”.
A weekend of excitement, action and insights.
Living History Weekend
Saturday 23 May, Sunday 24 May & Monday 25 May
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor life for all the inhabitants of Bolton Castle. In war and peace everyone needed to be fed and watered, and this Bank Holiday weekend the castle hosts re-enactors in Tudor costumes bringing the story alive of life in England at this turbulent time.
Lord Scrope’s Living History Weekend
Saturday 30 May & Sunday 31 May
Visit Lord Scrope's household and learn about life in his castle from the gardens, to the kitchens to the lifestyle that Tudor times dictated for the aristocratic family. Learn how everyone lived side by side and how the castle functioned whether at peace or preparing for war. Experience more genteel past times were to others readying armour in preparation for war.
Living History Weekend
Saturday 13 June & Sunday 14 June
Bolton Castle was held for three years in support of King Charles in what is known as the English Civil Wars, but more accurately, the Wars of the Three kingdoms. Find out more about the reasons the people of the British Isles went to war against themselves with re-enactors ‘living’ the Civil War at one of the country’s premier castles.
Captain Savile’s 15th Century Weekend
Saturday 20 June & Sunday 21 June
Sir John Savile's household are returning again this year. This hugely popular weekend provides an insight into what life was like in the 15th Century. The group comes with a fully equipped Medieval camp complete with Medieval tents and camp kitchen where you can see what the daily goings on would have been like. They will also have archery demonstrations, drill, combat and many other activities throughout the two days.
Traditional Skills Presentation
Wednesday 1 July 10am to 3pm
Join us to learn more about traditional spinning, from the dying of wool to the creation of something that a medieval inhabitant of the castle would have been proud of! This is an inspiring hands-on demonstration and enjoy the timeless artistry of these pieces and enjoy the chance to try for yourself. Free with entry.
Lord Scrope’s Tudor Weekend
Saturday 11 July & Sunday 12 July
Come visit Lord Scrope's Tudor household and learn about the turbulent time of the Border Reivers, infamous raiding families 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 and see the work of the tradespeople who kept the castle running.
Knights school
Wednesday 22 July & Thursday 30 July; Thursday 13 August, Wednesday 19 August & Wednesday 26 August.
£15 per child - pre-booked tickets only. Knights School is a chance for children to undergo the training that would have been part of a daily routine for the offspring of the great families of England. In a 3-hour session, learn how to handle weapons, don armour, use a longbow, practise drill and marching, learn to joust on a specially constructed horse and train to use a sword. Everything an aristocrat would be expected to know and use! In peace and war, these skills were useful for a myriad of past times, whether that’s hunting or in social settings with their noble friends and those that worked within the castle walls. Music and dancing were also a prerequisite for the local aristocrat with good manners at the table and the use of a quill to write. This is a chance to experience everything you’d need to know as a young person in the 15th and 16th centuries at Bolton Castle. Open to children aged 7 to 13 years.
Mary Queen of Scots Family Event
Tuesday 4 August, Wednesday 5 August & Thursday 6 August
‘Mary’ brings the story to life of Mary Queen of Scots’ stay in Bolton Castle with added humour and hilarity. Enjoy one of these interactive and hilarious performances each day at 2.30pm on 4 August and 11am and 2.30pm on 5 and 6 August.
Living History Weekend
Saturday 8 August & Sunday 9 August
Life in Medieval England was hard. Join us to discover how our ancestors made it to the spectacular age of 45! With activities and demonstrations to shine a light on the tough life of a Medieval castle inhabitant.
Lord Scrope’s Living History Weekend
Saturday 15 August & Sunday 16 August
The year is 1588. The Spanish Armada has been sighted in the channel and the beacons are lit. Lord Scrope is readying his men to meet the invaders, partly coming to avenge the death of Mary Queen of Scots. Enjoy hands-on activities and demonstrations as the garrison readies and as the castle looks after soldiers readying for a possible incursion.
Handlebards at Bolton Castle
Thursday 20 August from 6.30pm
Join this renowned outdoor theatre troupe for a hilariously high-octane production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth like you’ve never seen before. Watch foul deeds, plots unravel and mysterious spirits appear, suitable for all ages and apparitions. For tickets visit https://www.handlebards.com/show/macbeth-bolton-castle/
For more events in 2026, visit Events | Bolton Castle
ENDS
See Bolton Castle Wensleydale | Family days out | Falconry | Weddings for all events.
For more information and images, please contact Kendra at Kendra PR on 07910 214474 or call 07910 214474.
All photos: Credit Gareth Buddo unless credited otherwise
For general information on Bolton Castle, visit https://www.boltoncastle.co.uk/
Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET
Tel: 01969 623981 Email info@boltoncastle.co.uk
https://www.boltoncastle.co.uk/
Please note dogs are not allowed in the Castle and we cannot allow dogs in the gardens. Dogs Must Not Be Left Unattended In Hot Cars. Please refer to our home page on our website for details and alternative options for your pet.
11 May 2026