The Best Castles in the North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors National Park is a beautiful and diverse area in the northeast of England. It covers over 1,430 square kilometers and is known for its stunning landscapes, like mountains and forests, and its rich history with castles and stately homes.
The North York Moors National Park castles range from Norman buildings to Royal residences and beautiful historic houses filled with fine artwork, furniture, and collection. And you can also find award-winning castle gardens in the North York Moors National Park.
If you’re looking for inspiring historic castles in a beautiful natural setting, then you should take a trip to the North York Moors National Park and visit these beautiful castles in Yorkshire.
16 Beautiful Castles In the North York Moors National Park
Castle Howard
Castle Howard in North Yorkshire is one of England’s finest stately homes. Despite the name, Castle Howard is not a castle but a house. However, it is located on the site of a former castle and, therefore, can still use the name.
The castle was built between 1701 and 1811 after a design of John Vanbrugh. The Long Gallery was the last part of the house to be completed. Due to the long building period, the house has an unusual architecture. A Baroque wing flanks the central block of the house on one side, and a Palladian wing on the other side.
Castle Howard is famous for being used as the fictional “Brideshead” in the 1981 and 2008 adaptations of Brideshead Revisited.
The great hall at Castle Howard. photo: Mdbeckwith / CC BY 3.0 
The antique passage at Castle Howard. photo: Mdbeckwith / CC BY 3.0
The Howard family company, Castle Howard Estate Limited, now owns Castle Howard. It is managed by the Hon. Nicholas Howard and his wife, Victoria.
Visitor information: The castle is open to visitors. Visit the website for opening times.
Pickering Castle
Pickering Castle is a 13th century castle in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. The original castle was built by the Normans, this wooden structure was later turned into the stone castle we see today.
The castle has been a royal hunting lodge, a holiday home, and a stud farm by several medieval kings. Pickering Castle is special because it is one of few castles that was largely unaffected by the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War.
Visitor information: the castle is owned by English Heritage and is open to the public. Visit the website for more information.
Ormesby Hall
Ormesby Hall is a Palladian-style manor house in Middlesbrough. The house was built in 1754, but the estate had been owned by the Pennyman family since 1600. The interiors of the Georgian manor house, with its plasterwork, paintings, furniture, and Victorian kitchen, tell the story of the Pennyman family. In the house, you will also find model railway layouts.
Ormesby Hall is surrounded by 240 acres of parkland and farmland that offer seasonal walks as well as a Victorian formal garden.
Visitor information: Ormesby Hall is owned by the National Trust. Visit the website for opening times.
Scarborough Castle
A visit to Scarborough Castle means stepping into 3,000 years of history. The 12th century castle is located on the site of an Iron Age settlement and later a Roman signal station. The castle, overlooking the North Sea, has endured attacks from Vikings, medieval barons, Tudor rebels, and a Parliamentary army during the Civil War.
The castle ruins on the Yorkshire coast still show the long curtain wall with many towers and you can also climb the viewing platforms in the Inner Bailey and the 12th century tower.
The castle hosts several events throughout the year and it’s a great destination for a family day out.
Visitor information: the castle is owned by English Heritage. Visit the website for opening times.
Scampston Hall
Scampston Hall is a Regency style manor house in North Yorkshire. The house was originally built in the 1600s, and between 1795 and 1801, the owner William Thomas, asked Thomas Leverton to remodel the house in Regency style.
Scampston Hall is one of the finest Regency country houses in Yorkshire. It contains fine works of art, furniture, and porcelain. On the estate, you can also find the award-winning Walled Garden. The contemporary garden was designed by the Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf.
Visitor information: The hall is still a family home, but it is open to visitors through guided tours in the summer months. The gardens and parkland are open from March to November. Visit the website for opening times.
Sutton Park
Sutton Park is a Georgian manor house near the North York Moors National Park. The house was built in 1750 and features fine interiors known for its plasterwork and a Chinese drawing room with elaborate 18th century wallpaper. The art collection at Sutton Park comes from Normanby Hall and the old master paintings and furniture came from Buckingham House (which would later become Buckingham Palace).
The award-winning terraced gardens were designed in Italianate style by Percy Cane and Mrs. Sheffield in the 20th century. The grounds include ancient trees, a rare period ice house, a wildflower walled garden, and an orchard.
Visitor information: The house and gardens are open on selected days. Visit the website for more information.
Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall is a Yorkshire country house located in a picturesque location on the banks of the River Rye. The oldest part of the house date back to the 16th century. The period rooms tell the story of the house, and it also hosts a program of changing exhibitions. In the attic, you will find one of the world’s finest collection of miniature rooms.
The grounds include an organic walled garden with spring flowering meadows and resident peacocks.
Visitor information: the house is owned by the National Trust. Visit the website for the opening times.
Newburgh Priory Estate
Newburgh Priory Estate is a Tudor manor house on the edge of the Howardian Hills, in North Yorkshire. The house is built on the site of an Augustinian Priory. Since 1825, the house has been owned by the Wombwell family.
The historic house, with links to Oliver Cromwell, is open to the public. As well as the ground with a water garden, a hand-crafted topiary, a walled garden, and woodland walks.
Visitor information: the house and gardens are open on selected days in April, May, and June. Visit the website for more information.
Duncombe Park
Duncombe Park is an early 18th century country house and estate in North Yorkshire that the Duncombe family has owned since its construction. The house was remodeled in 1843 by Sir Charles Barry, but thirty years later, it was gutted by a fire. The house was rebuilt in its original style.
Duncombe Park was used as the fictional “Groby Hall” in the television series Parade’s End featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall.
Visitor information: The house is not open to visitors. But the parkland and gardens are open some months of the year. Visit the website for opening times.
Helmsley Castle
Helmsley Castle is a medieval castle in the North York Moors National Park. The original castle was built in wood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Rye. Over the centuries, the castle transformed from a medieval fortress to a Tudor mansion, to a Civil War stronghold and later a romantic Victorian castle ruin.
Visitor information: the castle is owned by English Heritage. Visit the website for opening times.
Beningbrough Hall
Beningbrough Hall is a Georgian manor house overlooking the River Ouse. The house was built in 1716 by John Bourchier III. The house became neglected, but in 1916, Enid Scudamore-Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield, bought the house and set on restoring it with furniture and paintings from Holme Lacy, her ancestral home.
The house is now owned by the National Trust. On the ground floor the collection tells the story of the country house and those who lived here. The Reddihough Galleries on the first floor show changing exhibitions of contemporary and traditional artwork in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.
Surrounding the house is an 8-acre formal garden. They are also working on a new garden design, the new Mediterranean Garden, by award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon.
Visitor information: the house and garden s open to the public. Visit the website for more information.
Skelton Castle
Skelton Castle in Yorkshire was a medieval castle that was built by Robert de Brus in 1140. In 1265, the castle was surrendered to King Henry III after which it was owned by several families. In the 18th century, the medieval castle was demolished and instead, a Gothic style country house was built by John Wharton. The Castle is still owned by the Wharton family.
Wilton Castle
Wilton Castle is an early 19th century manor house built on a medieval castle site. The original castle was built in the 11th century and it was owned by several noble families in the following centuries. By 1805, the castle had fallen into a ruinous state, and a new Gothic mansion house, designed by Sir Robert Smirke, was built in its place. In the 20th century, the castle was converted into apartments.
Whorlton Castle
Near the abandoned village of Whorlton stands the ruined medieval Whortlon Castle. The castle was built in a strategic location overlooking a road on the western edge of the North York Moors. Whorlton Castle was built in the 12th century as a Norman motte and bailey castle. Unlike most castles from this period, Whorlton Castle remained in use through the Middle Ages.
Not much remains of the original castle, apart from some cellars or undercrofts. But the ruined 14th century gatehouse is still visible.
Mulgrave Castle
The term “Mulgrave Castle” can refer to three buildings on a historic property in Lythe, near Whitby. According to legend, the first Mulgrave Castle was built by Wada, a 6th century ruler of Hälsingland in Sweden. The second castle was built by the Normans and was used until it was destroyed in 1647.
The third castle is the current castellated mansion that was built by Lady Catherine Sheffield, Duchess of Buckingham and Normanby, the illegitimate daughter of King James II. Duleep Singh, the last Maharajah of the Punjab, also lived in the castle.
In 2003, supermodel Elle Macpherson leased the castle. And since 2010, the property has been owned by Constantine Phipps, 5th Marquess of Normanby. Mulgrave is one of England’s finest shooting estates.
Visitor information: the castle is not open to visitors. But the surrounding woodlands can be enjoyed by everyone.
Sheriff Hutton Castle
Sheriff Hutton Castle is a ruined 14th century castle that was once one of the finest castles in Northern England. The stone fortress was once a favorite residence of King Richard III and King Henry VIII.
The castle is now used as a private event venue and can be booked for weddings.
