Be crowned king of the castle in glorious Skipton
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Exercise your princely skills at North Yorkshire’s marvelous Norman keep.
Lower the drawbridge and throw open the portcullis – Skipton’s magnificent castle is open for budding kings and queens. The forbidding giant, built over 900 years ago by Norman marauderer Robert de Romille, is thronging with treasures from its long and arduous history: visit the great banqueting hall, the bed chamber and even the lord’s privy (remember, it’s no longer functioning…).
Of course, the castle wasn’t just a place for nobility to plonk their behinds: it has been a focal point in many a bloody battle in England’s history. And visitors can immerse themselves in its brave defences through invasions and even the English Civil War. Thankfully today’s tourists can shun the violence and enjoy one of the country’s best-preserved castles.