Bolton Castle

Chapter 2 : Visiting the Castle

Through the café, and down a narrow passage (more loos – rather nicer than those in the carpark) you enter the ticket office and small shop. Through the shop there is a spiral stone stair, leading both up and down. I chose to go up first.

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The solar, with the entrance to the nursery, and the passage to the Great Hall © Tudor Times 2015
The-nursery-at-Bolton-Castle-last-used-by-the-illegitimate-children-of-Emmanuel-11th-Baron-Scrope-in-the-1630s.-©-Tudor-Times-2015
The nursery at Bolton Castle, last used by the illegitimate children of Emmanuel, 11th Baron Scrope in the 1630s © Tudor Times 2015

A suit of armour nods to the Civil War role of the castle and a rather handsome tapestry clothes the north wall.

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The Great Chamber © Tudor Times 2015
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Lady Scrope’s bedchamber © Tudor Times 2015

You can continue to climb up onto the battlements and see over the courtyard and the ruins of the remainder of the castle. If you suffer from vertigo, this is just about doable, but I didn't linger!

View-south-west-from-the-battlements-of-Bolton-Castle-across-Wensleydale-©-Tudor-Times-2015
View south-west from the battlements of Bolton Castle across Wensleydale © Tudor Times 2015
Priest’s-cell-adjacent-to-the-chapel-at-Bolton-Castle-©-Tudor-Times-2015
Priest’s cell, adjacent to the chapel at Bolton Castle © Tudor Times 2015
Courtyard-and-portcullis-©-Tudor-Times-2015
Courtyard and portcullis © Tudor Times 2015
Well-house-dungeons-smithy-etc-in-the-north-curtain-of-Bolton-Castle-©-Tudor-Times-2015
Well house, dungeons, smithy etc in the north curtain of Bolton Castle © Tudor Times 2015
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Bowling lawn and herbaceous border at Bolton Castle © Tudor Times 2015
The-maze-at-Bolton-Castle-©-Tudor-Times-2015
The maze at Bolton Castle © Tudor Times 2015