Scarborough Castle occupies a rocky headland above the North Sea, between Scarborough’s North and South bays. You can explore the medieval remains, see the headland’s earlier history and take in views across both bays.
- Location: Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY
- Ticket option: Online tickets booked by midnight the day before receive a 15% discount
- On site: A free audio tour and an exhibition in the Master Gunner’s House
- Access: Grass, cobbles and bound gravel; some routes avoid the steps to the Castle Keep
Where Scarborough Castle stands
Scarborough Castle stands on a headland between the town’s North and South bays, with the North Sea beyond. The site covers 16 acres and offers views over both bays.
Human activity on the headland dates back nearly 3,000 years. The castle was begun as a royal stronghold by Henry II, whose great tower was built between 1159 and 1169. Its position gave the site a long history before and after the medieval period.
Look beyond the castle remains, too: the headland includes the remains of a Roman signal station and a medieval chapel at its seaward tip. The sheltered South Bay harbour lies below the Castle Headland, making the shoreline a natural addition to a visit.
Tickets, opening times and access
Scarborough Castle tickets can be booked online in advance or bought on the day, and admission arrangements vary by ticket type. The site’s opening hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–16:00
- Monday to Friday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Tickets booked online by midnight the day before a visit receive a 15% discount. Tickets bought on the day, whether online or at the site, are full price.
English Heritage members enter free; members can book online and should bring their membership card. Tickets are valid all day, so you can arrive at any time and stay as long as you like within opening hours.
The main surfaces are grass and cobbles, with some bound gravel. Steps lead to the Castle Keep, but alternative routes can avoid them. English Heritage recommends a strong wheelchair pusher. There is an accessible toilet, assistance dogs are welcome, and wheelchairs are not available to borrow.
Disabled visitor parking is the only parking at the castle, and spaces are limited. You can call 01723 372451 to reserve a space. English Heritage also offers a Tramper, an electric all-terrain mobility scooter; arrange it by phone on 01723 372451 or email Scarborough.Castle@english-heritage.org.uk. The site has unfenced ditches, a moat and ramparts, which English Heritage identifies as hazards.
What to see on the headland
The castle’s remains include medieval walls, a gatehouse and barbican, as well as traces of a 13th-century royal residence. The 12th-century great tower is the central landmark, while the headland’s Roman signal station and medieval chapel show how much older the site’s story is.
A free audio tour helps put the remains in context. You can also visit the exhibition in the Master Gunner’s House, which brings together artefacts from prehistoric times through the First World War. Items include prehistoric tools and pottery, a replica Bronze Age sword, a Civil War cannonball and a shell nose-cap from the 1914 bombardment.
Allow time to look across both bays as you move around the headland. The castle’s open setting links the historic remains with the coastline on either side.
How do you get from Green Gables Hotel to Scarborough Castle?
Scarborough Castle is about 1.6 miles from a hotel in Scarborough. The castle’s address is Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY.
Scarborough’s local sights include the harbour below the headland, in the sheltered South Bay.
If you are planning a wider day out, the Scarborough coast-to-town day itinerary can help you fit the castle into a route through the town.
What to add to your visit
Scarborough Harbour sits beneath the Castle Headland in the sheltered South Bay. Its position makes it an easy nearby point of interest to pair with time on the headland, especially if you want to see the castle setting from below.
For a broader view of Scarborough’s coast and town, plan the castle as one stop in a day that includes both bays and the harbour. The castle’s location above the South Bay gives you a clear link between the ruins and the working waterfront below.
FAQs
What is the address of Scarborough Castle?
The address is Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY.
Can you visit Scarborough Castle with a wheelchair?
Some routes avoid the steps to the Castle Keep, though much of the site has grass and cobbles. English Heritage recommends a strong wheelchair pusher and says there is no wheelchair loan.
Is there an audio tour at Scarborough Castle?
Yes. Visitors can explore the castle with a free audio tour.
What can you see at the Master Gunner’s House?
The exhibition includes artefacts spanning prehistoric times through the First World War, including a replica Bronze Age sword and a shell nose-cap from the 1914 bombardment.