Skipton Castle Events  2026

Normal admissions to events apply unless stated otherwise

Good Friday Donations

Friday 3 April 2026  10am -4pm

For the 38th  year. Skipton Castle is donating all the admission charges to Martin House & St Gemma's Hospice.

1635 Household 

Saturday 9 May 2026 Re-enactment: 11am -3pm

Sunday 10 May 2026 Re-enactment: 11am -3pm

17th Century Castle Life

A Musical Party at Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle will play host to The 1635 Household who will display and discuss musical instruments and the role of domestic music in a gentry household of the early seventeenth century.  Members of the household, all dressed in period costume, will sing and play pieces from Dowland, Holborne and other composers from the early modern period to provide a fitting atmosphere to the hall of this wonderful castle. You can learn more about The 1635 Household and their events at www.1635.org.uk.

The Northern Free Company 

Saturday 27 June 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 28 June 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

14th Century Castle Life

Meet the Governor

Saturday 11 July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 12 July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Come and meet Sir John Mallory, Governor of Skipton Castle, during the English Civil War. Hear about the castle's siege and the skirmishes its garrison has already fought and how the King's cause is faring in Yorkshire.

Buckingham's Retinue 

Saturday 25 July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 26 July 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Lord and Lady Clifford are hosting a weekend of events that will showcase the life and times of late medieval life. Members of the castle household will take part in friendly competition throughout the weekend, with archery contests and combat displays - make sure to cheer for your chosen champion! There will be also opportunities for audience participation in sword school and medieval dancing (no experience required!).

10:00   Medieval life – the castle brought to life

10:30   Soldier’s drill on the main lawn

11:00   Mumming play lawn by the main steps

11:45   Food talk in the Medieval  kitchen

12:30   Meet nobility fashion to etiquette, learn about high status living with Lord & Lady Clifford

 1:15    Food is served

2:00    Music and dance with opportunity for participation on the lawn by the main steps

 2:45   Archery display on the main lawn

3:30     Knight school with opportunity for children to participate on the main lawn

4:15     Combat display on the lawn by the gift shop or Chapel if wet

Trayned Bandes 

Saturday 1 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 2 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

The English Civil War

See this Civil War Regiment prepare for battle against the Parlimentarian army.

   10.00 am - Soldiers' camp, sentries set. Soldiers & civilians go about their duties.

   11.00 am - Soldiers of the garrison form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

   12.30 pm approx. – Dinner.

   2.00 pm - Soldiers form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

   3.30 pm - Soldiers form up and march to the display area for drill/firing.

Medieval Music Day 

Saturday 8 August 2026 10am -5pm

Sunday 9 August 2026 10am -5pm

Medieval music day with instrument demonstrations

by Marco Cannavo & Steve Tyler

Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler present an instrumental journey into the music of medieval Europe. Featuring hurdy-gurdy and its early predecessors, alongside gotich harp, lute, citole, portative organ, bladder pipe, and tambourine, the concert explores rhythms and melodies from both sacred and secular traditions, interpreted with imaginative freedom while remaining rooted in historical sources.

Visitors can expect an engaging introduction to medieval music. Throughout the day, Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler will showcase and play their collection of historical musical instruments, interacting with visitors to explain how the instruments work, their historical context, and their role in medieval music.

The showcase will include live demonstrations highlighting the sound and expressive possibilities of the instruments, offering an immersive experience in which visitors can both see the instruments up close and hear them in action.

In addition, Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler will present three short performances during the day, taking place at 11:00 am, 1:00pm and 3 pm. Each mini concert features instrumental interpretations of music from the 12th to the 14th centuries, performed on a variety of medieval instruments

Flores De Chevalerie 

Saturday 22 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 23 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

13th Century Castle Life

Flores De Chevalerie brings the 13th Century medieval tournament to life, featuring genuine competitive combat combined with historical authenticity. 

The Yorkshire Highwayman

Saturday 29 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Sunday 30 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Monday 31 August 2026 Re-enactment: 10am -5pm

Come and meet John Nevison, one of Britain's most notorious highwaymen, a gentleman rogue supposedly nicknamed Swift Nick by King Charles II after a renowned 200 mile dash from Kent to York to establish an alibi for a robbery he had committed earlier that day.