Skipton Castle in North Yorkshire hosts small and medium meetings, with up to 70 people in theatre layout, and wedding ceremonies for up to 80 guests. The castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England and stands above the market town of Skipton. It is open all year, except December 23, 24 and 25.
Seminars and company events
The castle describes its conference facilities as suited to small and medium functions. The meeting room holds 70 people in theatre layout, 50 in classroom layout, 40 at a boardroom table and 30 for a banquet. Conference room plans are available as a PDF from the castle. The site does not name the room or give its size, so organisers should ask for the plan when they send a request. Bookings can also be started through the castle's online booking system.
Weddings and receptions
The castle is a wedding ceremony venue. A ceremony can take place in the Ancient Chapel, the Banqueting Hall or the Granary, with up to 80 guests. A champagne and canapé reception can follow in the castle. The castle states that it has no facilities for a full seated wedding reception, so the wedding breakfast moves to a separate venue. The courtyard, the lawn and the grounds serve as a backdrop for photographs. Wedding enquiries go to the castle administration.
Rooms and capacities
The Ancient Chapel, the Banqueting Hall and the Granary are the three ceremony venues, each used for a ceremony of up to 80 guests. The conference room accommodates 70 in theatre layout, 50 in classroom layout, 40 in boardroom layout and 30 at a banquet. The site gives no individual room sizes.
Accommodation
The castle has no bedrooms and the site lists no accommodation. Guests stay in Skipton or in the surrounding Yorkshire Dales area.
Catering
The site gives no catering for meetings. For weddings, it mentions a champagne and canapé reception only. A full dinner is not served on site, so organisers plan meals elsewhere in Skipton or bring in suppliers after agreeing this with the castle.
History and setting
The castle is more than 900 years old. It withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War, and an ancient well uncovered in the grounds helps explain how the garrison survived the siege of 1643 to 1645. In 1536, Henry Clifford married Eleanor Brandon in the long gallery. The last recorded marriage in the chapel before it became stables took place in 1635. The building is Grade I listed.
Getting there
The castle address is The Bailey, Skipton BD23 1AW, at the top of the town's high street. Contact the castle by phone on 01756 792442 or by email at info@skiptoncastle.co.uk. The site has a location and car parking page.
