Is Bolton Castle one of the coolest places to visit in North Yorkshire?
This summer, with outside temperatures regularly above 30 degrees, the team at Bolton Castle is finding that visitors are expressing some relief from the sun on entering the castle. The 3ft thick stone walls not only protected Lord Scrope’s family from the marauding hoards, but also possibly provided respite from the hardworking inhabitants from soaring temperatures as well as the cold winters.
Jacqui Naylor, General Manager at Bolton Castle did a quick poll and found that visitors were expressing relief when they entered the castle and possibly lingered inside more than they might have before braving the glorious sunshine of the gardens. Says Jacqui: “We took the temperature in the Solar (one of the rooms in the castle) and found it was a cool 19 degrees on a day of 28 degrees outside. The Dungeon was a lower 18 degrees – a perfect temperature for a prisoner!” With five floors of coolness, visitor numbers are already up month on month on last year with lollies a big favourite. The Tea Room team at the castle is also finding other best sellers, unsurprisingly this summer, are iced coffees and ice-creams. As Jacqui adds: “Ice wouldn’t have been available to the castle inhabitants, but at least they would have felt some relief within our walls. In addition, the gardens nestle on the side of Wensleydale so they are also perfectly located for a refreshing breeze. It’s definitely cool to be at the castle.”
Bolton Castle continues with its programme of events throughout the summer, including re-enactor days, have a go archery, falconry displays and wild boar feeding, all included with entry. For more on its events, some ticketed, most free with entry, visit events. For the first time 2027 sees Mary Queen of Scots : The Exhibition opens in March at Bolton Castle.