Sight guide · York · United Kingdom
Visiting Clifford's Tower
The 13th-century stone keep of York Castle stands on a steep mound built by William the Conqueror.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Clifford's Tower is a castle in Castle Area, York. Allow 45 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Area
- Castle Area
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, views and kids
- Best months
- March–April and October
About Clifford's Tower
The 13th-century stone keep of York Castle stands on a steep mound built by William the Conqueror. English Heritage added a roof deck and walkways inside the ruin, which give views over the city and explain its history, including the massacre of the city's Jewish community in 1190.
Tip: Climb on a clear day for one of the best views of the Minster from the south.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Castle Area.
Best time to visit Clifford's Tower
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- March: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-March the sun sets at about 18:08 local time (calculated for York).
When to visit York has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day York itinerary visits Clifford's Tower on day 3, together with York Castle Museum and Fairfax House.
- No. 6 of the 15 sights in our York things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in York.
- A family favourite in York with kids.
Near Clifford's Tower
Also in Castle Area, so you can walk between them:
- York Castle Museum — 2 hours, mid-priced
- Fairfax House — 1 hour, low cost
If you like Clifford's Tower
- York Minster — Minster Quarter, 2–3 hours with the tower
- York City Walls — City Centre, 1–2 hours
- JORVIK Viking Centre — Coppergate, 1.5 hours
- National Railway Museum — Leeman Road, 2–3 hours
Staying near Clifford's Tower
Where to stay in York compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Clifford's Tower?
Plan 45 minutes. With York Castle Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Castle Area.
+Is Clifford's Tower free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Clifford's Tower?
March–April and October, the quietest of the good months. Climb on a clear day for one of the best views of the Minster from the south.
+Do I need to book Clifford's Tower in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Clifford's Tower good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in York. York is one of England's best small cities for children: the free National Railway Museum, JORVIK's Viking ride, Clifford's Tower, ghost walks and the walls themselves turn history into an adventure, and the centre is compact and flat.