Top 6 Castles around Bulmer

The area around Bulmer, North Yorkshire, offers a mix of grand stately homes, ancient ruins, and architectural follies. You can visit magnificent estates like Castle Howard, explore the ruins of Sheriff Hutton Castle, or discover interesting follies such as the Castle Howard Mock Medieval Tower and the Castle Howard Gatehouse.

Yes, several sites are great for families. Castle Howard, a stately home with extensive gardens and parkland, is very family-friendly. The Castle Howard Mock Medieval Tower and Sheriff Hutton Castle Ruins also offer interesting historical exploration for all ages.

Slingsby Castle, a Jacobean mansion, is an overgrown and ruined structure. It is not open to the public due to its state of disrepair, but you can admire it from the road. There is a specific viewpoint from which you can see the castle.

The area around Bulmer offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including moderate routes like the 'Church of St John and Four Faces Folly loop from Castle Howard' or the 'Welburn and Bulmer Circular'. For cyclists, there are road cycling routes and MTB trails that pass by historical landmarks and through the scenic Howardian Hills.

Yes, the Bulmer family has historical connections to castles in other regions. Raby Castle in County Durham features 'Bulmer's Tower,' named after Bertram de Bulmer. Brancepeth Castle, also in County Durham, was originally built by the Bulmers around 1099. In Bulmer, Essex, you can find Sham Castle, an 18th-century folly.

Many sites, like Castle Howard, are typically open from March to November, with gardens often accessible for longer periods. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for exploring the extensive grounds and gardens. Autumn provides beautiful foliage, while winter walks can offer a different, quieter perspective, though some attractions might have reduced hours.

While specific dog policies for all areas of Castle Howard are best checked directly on their official website, many stately homes allow dogs in designated outdoor areas or specific trails within their grounds. It's advisable to confirm their current dog policy before your visit.

Yes, the Castle Howard Mock Medieval Tower offers great views towards the village of Welburn. Additionally, the scenic countryside surrounding these historical sites, particularly within the Howardian Hills AONB, provides many natural viewpoints.

The original Castle Howard Gatehouse, with its famous pyramid, was built in 1719 by Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect of Castle Howard. It served as an inn and hotel for travelers and later became 'The Temperance Hotel' in the late 19th century, providing respite for women and children from industrial areas.

While Castle Howard is popular, exploring the Sheriff Hutton Castle Ruins can offer a quieter experience, especially as it's a large ruin suitable for picnics. The View of Slingsby Castle from the road also provides a glimpse of history without the crowds, as the site itself is not publicly accessible.

The castles and historical sites around Bulmer are set within a beautiful rolling countryside. Castle Howard, for instance, is surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland, including the Yorkshire Arboretum, which is home to red squirrels. Many walking routes in the area will take you through woodlands and open fields, offering scenic views of the landscape.

Yes, Castle Howard has tea rooms and a proper cafe in its courtyard, as well as a small takeaway coffee shop. Many of the nearby villages and towns will also offer pubs and cafes where you can stop for refreshments after exploring the historical sites.