Hazlewood Castle

Name: Hazlewood Castle
Address: Paradise Lane, Tadcaster, LS24 9NJ, GB
Telephone: +44 1937 535353

Tadcaster

Courtesy of Hazlewood Castle

WHERE

Tadcaster

What it’s like

A pre booked history tour round an 11th century castle, plus woodland trails and trail bike hire outdoors.

The main thing to do with kids here is the history tour, walking the castle itself with someone who knows the building rather than a leaflet in your hand. It only runs Tuesday to Thursday, at 11am and 1pm, and you have to book ahead by email rather than just turning up, which is a bit of a faff if you're planning something spontaneous. At £15 a person it's not pocket change for a family of four, so it's worth deciding in advance whether your kids are old enough to sit through a proper tour rather than just wanting to run about the grounds.

If a formal tour isn't your thing, or your kids are too young for it, the woodland trails are the other option, with trail bikes to hire if you fancy covering more ground than a toddler's legs can manage. That side of the visit is more forgiving on age and timing than the tour slots.

Being an actual 11th century castle rather than a rebuild, the building has real steps and narrow bits, and there's an outdoor platform lift for guests who need it, though staff assistance is needed and access isn't fully step-free. There's a restaurant on site with vegetarian options if you need to feed everyone afterwards, and wifi if anyone needs to check emails. Just don't expect a swimming pool or a gym, and don't bother asking about spa treatments for anyone under 16, they're adults-only here.

Parking is free in the resident's car park, with a visitors car park a short walk away if that one's full. Dogs are welcome too, though only if you're staying over in the St Margaret's accommodation, and there's a £15 per dog per night charge attached to that.

Facilities

Accessible toilet

Dog friendly

Parking

Restaurant

Toilets

Vegetarian options

Wi-Fi

Need to know

Best for: Older kids who'll sit through a guided tour; younger ones suit the trails better
Wheelchairs: Wheelchair lift to first floor of St
Dogs: Permitted in St Margaret's accommodation only for £15 per dog per night

History tours only run Tuesday to Thursday, so a weekend visit means the woodland trails are your main activity.
Booking the tour is by email, not an online system, so allow time for a reply.
There's no swimming pool or gym if you were picturing a spa day out with the kids.
Wheelchair access is limited to a lift into St Leonard's rooms with staff help, not full step-free access.

Plan your visit

How do we book the history tour?

You email guestrelations@hazlewood-castle.co.uk to arrange it, there's no online booking. Tours run Tuesday to Thursday at 11am and 1pm and cost £15 a person.

Is the castle OK for a toddler in a buggy?

It's an 11th century building with steps into the hotel, so it's not the easiest with a buggy. There's an outdoor platform lift but staff need to help you with it.