Pickering Castle

Visited Pickering, had a trip on the steam engine then a walk up to Pickering Castle. Like most English Heritage properties its mostly a ruin, however there are some good elements remaining such as a couple of towers and the newer built Chapel, which was converted into a courthouse. Fascinating to find out the original structure was built by William the Conqueror in around 1069.If you are in the area, it's worth a visit, guide book was reasonably priced and very informative.

What a lovely castle. It is run by the English Heritage and the staff on entry were very friendly and welcoming.After getting your ticket to enter (if you don't already belong to the English Heritage) you are informed it is set in a big circle.There is only one building still standing but the others where the walls would have been are labelled with the rooms which gives you better understanding of what the layout was.There are lots of informational boards dotted around and lots of different places to explore. It is very interesting to learn the history.You can all go to the highest point where the Lord and Lady would have lived and this has fantastic views of pickering and the surrounding area.There is also a little fairy trail the kids can follow if you want to partake.I think it was a lovely adventure and would recommend anyone to go. You can walk everywhere but there are steps up and down to get to certain areas.We also enjoyed a picnic in the castle and we were allowed to bring the dog in too.

We walked all of the way around the Castle, it is massive. What history has developed here. Scary.

Wonderful to visit, steeped in history!Very informative and reasonably priced to enter!

Who doesn’t love a castle? They’re a fascinating insight into our heritage, history, and development. To think this was once how we lived in Britain… no offence, but we’ve come a long way.Still a well managed castle for educational purposes is vital for children, and adults - great view at different forms of societies. Incredible structures, to think they were built without modern machinery is mind blowing.Pickering castle is small, but it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours with children on a sunny day. It commands excellent views over the Vale of Pickering, and if you happen to go without children, I recommend taking a book and just chilling out on top of the motte looking out across the fields. Not much reading will happen, as eyes drift to the landscape surrounding and the sound of the Pickering steam trains drifts up from The Valley below.

Nice ruined castle dating back to 13th century, although there has been a castle on the site since 1070. Grounds are nicely kept and there are a couple of flights of stairs to get up to the keep and tower. Plenty of picnic tables. Car park is very small but their is additional parking in the street nearby. A nice way to spend an hour or two. Only 10 or fifteen minutes walk up the hill from Pickering town centre.

Well signposted location. Small car park.A great castle to explore, was an admin/estate management castle rather than pure defence, so is interesting location. View from mott is amazing.#DogFriendly #EnglishHeritage #LoveCastles

This was a decent place to visit but it wasn’t really worth the entrance fee. However this is free if you’re a member of English Heritage. The castle ruins took around 45 minutes to see it all because there really isn’t much left.

Lovely old building. The 2 guys in the shop were great, too. The site needs some love, though. Wooden stairs look rotten, and the grass, etc, is really overgrown. Difficult to wall down a few paths due to the overgrowth.