Outdoors

Clifford's Tower, York

Name: Clifford's Tower, York
Address: Tower Street, York, YO1 9SA, GB
Telephone: 0370 333 1181

York

Courtesy of Clifford's Tower, York

SETTING

Outdoors

WHERE

York

What it’s like

A steep climb up a Norman mound to a rooftop that opens up the whole of York in one go.

The whole point of coming here is the climb and the view at the top. You go up the mound with a few resting places built in for the steps, then up inside the tower itself, 55 steps in total including a spiral staircase, and you come out onto a 360-degree roof platform looking over the city. It's not a long visit, they reckon around an hour, which feels about right once you've had a proper look from the top and come back down.

If the stairs are a step too far for anyone in the family, there's new interpretation at the foot of the mound telling the tower's story without needing to climb it, and a tactile map of the castle and city down there too. Worth knowing before you go: the tower itself just isn't accessible to wheelchair users, there's no way round those 55 steps.

It's open daily from 10am, last entry is half six before a 6pm close, so an early or late slot both work if you're planning round nap times or trains. There's no on-site parking for cars, so if you're driving you're looking elsewhere, though coach parking is a short walk away at St. George's Field. Booking isn't compulsory but they're upfront that you get a better price and guaranteed entry if you book online the day before, and once you've paid there's no changing your mind, tickets can't be refunded or swapped.

Need to know

Last entry: 5:30pm (30 minutes before closing)
Booking: Book online by midnight the day before to get 15% discount
Parking: No on-site parking for private cars
How long to allow: Around 1 hour
Wheelchairs: Tower inaccessible to wheelchair users due to 55 steps to keep and spiral stairs
Getting there by bus or train: Car-free travel by train, bus, or bicycle eligible for 20% discount on walk-up tickets

Paid tickets can't be changed or refunded once booked, so be sure of your date before you pay
Travelling car-free gets you 20% off a walk-up ticket
Steps up the mound have resting points if the climb feels like a lot in one go
Members get unlimited entry here plus over 400 other sites, with up to six kids free per adult

Plan your visit

Do we need to book ahead?

No need to, you can turn up and buy on the day, but booking online by midnight the night before gets you 15% off and guaranteed entry.

How much does it cost?

Under-fives go free with a booked infant ticket, and anyone 5 to 17 needs a child ticket. Students with an NUS card and over-65s get concession prices if they show ID on arrival.

How long should we set aside?

Around an hour covers the climb up, the view, and getting back down.

Is it OK for a wheelchair or a pushchair?

The tower itself isn't accessible by wheelchair, there are 55 steps including a spiral staircase with no way round them. The interpretation panels at the base of the mound don't need any climbing though.

Where do we park?

There's no car park on site. Coaches can use St. George's Field, about six minutes' walk away, and there's a discount on walk-up tickets if you arrive by train, bus or bike.