York Castle has been a site of justice and incarceration for almost 1,000 years.

William the Conqueror built the first castle here in 1068 as a base to control the North of England - and we know from written references that it had a prison.

The Castle is still a seat of justice today; the 18th century Courthouse is now York Crown Court.  It still has holding cells and people accused of serious crimes are still tried there, as they have been for almost 1,000 years.

Learn about this place online....

Learn about York Castle Museum Prison...

Museum Opening Times

They are open daily from 9.30am until 5pm, except 25 and 26 December and 1 January. (We open at 10am on Fridays during school term times) They usually close early in the afternoon on 24 December and 31 December.  

Admission

Admission to York Castle Museum includes the new Prison exhibition. Tickets are valid for a whole year - see Come Back For Free below for details.

Adult - £7.50
Child - £4
Under 5s - Free
Concessions - £6.50
Residents with a York Card - Free
Wheelchair users plus one carer - Free

Two adults with:
One child - £16.50
Two children - £20
& £3.50 per child after that

Joint tickets

Their joint tickets include entry to both the Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum.

Adult - £9.50
Child - £4
Under 5s - Free
Concessions - £8
Two adults with:
One child - £23
Two children - £27
& £4 per child after that

How to find them

York Castle Museum is in the centre of York, close to Clifford's Tower and the Coppergate Shopping Centre. Follow the green pedestrian signs to the 'Castle Area'.

For a map click here