There really is something for everyone at Cliffe Castle in Keighley. You can see sparkling Victorian rooms, overflowing with paintings, furniture and art of every style. But there are also rooms dedicated to nature, the district’s archaeology and a display of stained glass by Morris and Co.
It’s an absolute feast for the imagination.
Cliffe Castle was originally built in the 1880s as the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield and was a showpiece of international art and French decoration. It was the scene of many glittering parties and society events.
In the 1950s the Castle was bought by Sir Bracewell Smith, who commissioned architect Sir Albert Richardson to turn Cliffe Castle’s gardens into a grand public park and remodelled the Castle to be a free museum for the people of the district. That continues to this day, winning (and retaining) a coveted Heritage Green Flag award – the first in the district!
In recent years Cliffe Castle has had a glow-up, inside and out, with Victorian features in the park reinstated, and the breathtaking stained glass Butterfield Window on the Grand Staircase restored. The Castle also hosts changing exhibitions from our collections and the community, as well as a fantastic café.
Toilets
Parking
Disabled Access
Cliffe Castle Museum has a feast for your eyes with their new virtual reality tour.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm
All Bank Holiday Opening Times: 11:00 – 4:00 except Bolling Hall
All sites closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday
There is a small amount of free parking on Spring Gardens Lane and within the museum car park. Please note this allows for 3 hours parking, with no return within 2 hours. These parking places are managed by Bradford Council Parking Services.
There are two Blue Badge parking spaces down the slope from the museum car park which are offered on a first come first served basis. The gates to these car park spaces close at 4.30pm”
Approximately 12-25 minutes walk from the railway station, 6-15 minutes walk from the bus station. Buses (for example Bradford to Skipton) pass the lower main gates. The 903 bus service operates from Keighley Bus Station and serves Cliffe Castle on a limited basis.
25 October 2026 2:00 pm – 25 October 2026 3:00 pm
Enjoy free live music from May Contain Notes at Cliffe Castle.
25 October 2026 11:00 am – 25 October 2026 3:30 pm
Slow down with Tai Chi, crafts, wellbeing walks, slow art, a seasonal tea ceremony and a phone photography walk.
27 October 2026 11:00 am – 27 October 2026 3:00 pm
Celebrate Diwali with free family activities including animal yoga, lantern making and colourful rangoli-inspired designs.
30 October 2026 11:00 am – 30 October 2026 11:50 am
A multi-sensory experience for children and young people aged 8–17 with PMLD, featuring rocks, crystals, movement, sound, textures and collaborative sculpture.
30 October 2026 12:20 pm – 30 October 2026 2:40 pm
A multi-sensory experience for children aged 4–12, featuring sparkling crystals, sound, movement, fabrics, textures and collaborative creativity.
22 November 2026 2:00 pm – 22 November 2026 3:00 pm
Enjoy free live music from Bradford Voices at Cliffe Castle.
5 December 2026 11:00 am – 6 December 2026 3:00 pm
Christmas magic returns to Cliffe Castle! Browse festive craft stalls, find unique gifts, and meet Father Christmas in the Grand Drawing Room for a truly magical day out.
12 December 2026 11:00 am – 13 December 2026 3:00 pm
Father Christmas returns to Cliffe Castle! Book a magical festive visit in the beautiful Grand Drawing Room.
20 December 2026 2:00 pm – 20 December 2026 3:00 pm
Enjoy free live music from Craven Accordion Orchestra at Cliffe Castle.
Every fourth Thursday of the month
Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.
The display highlights how Victorian plant collectors created these nationally important collections, and the local stories behind them.
The past and present of the Bradford textile industry are explored in this exhibition featuring beautiful costume, fascinating sample books and tools from the industry. Objects from our designated worsted collection sit alongside stunning visuals taken by photographer Ian Beesley
Celebrating 150 years of Keighley Cougars history and heritage.
Find out everything you need to know before you visit us. Including opening times and how to find us.
Bradford District Museums & Galleries’ Learning Team offers schools a wide range of curriculum-linked workshops at our inspiring sites.
The Cliffe Castle Support Group (CCSG) is a small charity made up of supporters who work with Cliffe Castle Museum and Park in the engagement of visitors, particularly those from the local community, by providing free participative, experiential and informative activities.
Your donations are really important to us and we welcome any support you can offer.
Bradford Museums & Galleries’ Learning Team offer a range of exciting, hands-on, curriculum-linked workshops at Cliffe Castle Museum.
