SKIPTON Castle is looking forward to reopening on Monday (May 17) after being closed to visitors for the longest period in living memory.

The castle, one of the best preserved Medieval castles in the country, will be open daily after the Government announced England could move to step three on the road to recovery out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The castle, the woods, car park and tearooms will all be open from 10 am to 4pm every day. Visitors are being asked to book self-guiding tours online to get a guaranteed time slot, to help staff manage numbers, limit queuing and reduce contact for a ‘more enjoyable and relaxed experience’ says the castle.

A castle spokesperson said: “ Skipton Castle has received the new Visit Britain Kitemark ‘Good to Go’ in recognition of our continuing work to make the castle as safe as we can for all our visitors and staff.

“We will continue to follow UK industry and government updates based on the latest advice.

“We aim to make visits as safe and enjoyable as possible.”

Visitors will be asked for names and booking reference on arrival, and to use the hand sanitising stations. Face masks should be worn inside.

A one way route around the castle has been put in place with visitors allowed up to an hour and a half inside and with no time limit in the grounds.

To find out more and pre-book, visit: www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/your-visit.asp