Cliffe Castle Museum

Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley West Yorkshire, BD20 6LH
cliffe.castle@bradford.gov.uk
01535 618231

About Cliffe Castle Museum

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.

Facilities
Toilets
Cafe
Disabled Access
Parking
Baby Changing

Toilets

Parking

Disabled Access

Family stood in front of Butterfield Stained Glass window, pointing

Explore Cliffe Castle with 21st Century Technology

Cliffe Castle Museum has a feast for your eyes with their new virtual reality tour.

Address

Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley West Yorkshire, BD20 6LH
Opening times

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

By public transport

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.

What's On

A large teddy bear in front of cave drawings
Cliffe Castle Museum

24 July 2025 10:30 am – 24 July 2025 12:30 pm

Image of clay animals
Cliffe Castle Museum

24 July 2025 11:00 am – 24 July 2025 3:00 pm

Making portable art using pieces of clay, inspired by Ice Age Art Now

Cliffe Castle Museum

29 July 2025 11:00 am – 29 July 2025 3:00 pm

Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.

A little girl in a museum holding a magnifying glass
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 10:30 am – 30 July 2025 12:30 pm

We have also prepared fun for our youngest visitors during the Festival of Archaeology.

a dark haired woman standing in front of a case of archaeological objects, with 'Vindolanda' embroidered on her jacker
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 11:00 am – 30 July 2025 2:00 pm

In this session, you will become archaeology detectives as you put climate change under the microscope.

a atmospheric image of a stone circle with a stormy sky in the background
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 2:00 pm – 30 July 2025 3:00 pm

A gentle introduction into the general topic of Archaeology.

close up of a gold coin with stylised design on it
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 3:30 pm – 30 July 2025 4:30 pm

Gavin Edwards, offers an insight into an intriguing iron-age hoard

carved stone in a moorland landscape
Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 5:00 pm – 30 July 2025 6:00 pm

Find out more about the mysterious carved stones that are found dotted about the moor

Cliffe Castle Museum

30 July 2025 6:30 pm – 30 July 2025 7:30 pm

Delve into the fascinating world of buildings folklore

Jess (artist) posing with clay for a workshop
Cliffe Castle Museum

31 July 2025 10:30 am – 31 July 2025 12:30 pm

As part of The Festival Of Archaeology, join artist Jessica Swift for an air dry clay vase making class.

Jess (artist) posing with clay for a workshop
Cliffe Castle Museum

31 July 2025 1:30 pm – 31 July 2025 3:30 pm

As part of The Festival Of Archaeology, join artist Jessica Swift for an air dry clay vase making class.

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
Cliffe Castle Museum

2 August 2025 11:00 am – 2 August 2025 4:00 pm

Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
Cliffe Castle Museum

3 August 2025 11:00 am – 3 August 2025 4:00 pm

Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

5 August 2025 10:30 am – 5 August 2025 3:40 pm

By blending history, technology, and imagination, Families can explore the world of the Ice Age using AI.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 August 2025 11:00 am – 7 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

12 August 2025 11:00 am – 12 August 2025 3:00 pm

close up of natural pigments and examples
Cliffe Castle Museum

13 August 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore the Ice Age Art now exhibition and make your own cave paintings using natural pigments.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

Ice age jewellery in a case
Cliffe Castle Museum

17 August 2025 11:00 am – 17 August 2025 3:00 pm

Making Ice Age inspired jewellery.

A large teddy bear in front of cave drawings
Cliffe Castle Museum

28 August 2025 10:30 am – 28 August 2025 12:30 pm

Cliffe Castle Museum

6 September 2025 11:00 am – 6 September 2025 3:00 pm

Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.

Reindeer bone (metatarsal) with a carving of a cow-like creature
Cliffe Castle Museum

21 June 2025 – 14 September 2025

Travel back in time at this British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and encounter works of art dating back thousands of years.

students looking at stained glass
Cliffe Castle Museum

20 June 2025 10:00 am – 21 September 2025 4:00 pm

Celebrating historic collections through sustainable design

Cliffe Castle Museum

25 September 2025 10:30 am – 25 September 2025 12:30 pm

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

23 October 2025 10:30 am – 23 October 2025 12:30 pm

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

27 November 2025 10:30 am – 27 November 2025 12:30 pm

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”.

Listen to the Cliffe Castle Gavotte

Latest News

As we look forward to the opening of Ice Age Art Now at Cliffe Castle Museum, British Museum curator Jill Cook introduces the themes of the exhibition.
We came across a fascinating set of travel diaries by Mrs Smith, a relative of the Butterfields - let us use her own words to tell the story
James Steward, our Museums & Galleries Manager, agreed to write our latest blog - looking back at 2024 and forward to 2025!
Dale Keeton, our talented conservator, who made it all look spectacular and Ernest, our wonderful volunteer provide some additional insights into the exhibition
Further Information
Evolution at Cliffe Castle Museum

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.

CCSG Logo (Cliffe Castle Support Group)

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.

The latest news and updated from Cliffe Castle Museum

Donate

Your donations are really important to us and we welcome any support you can offer.

Volunteer

Would you like to volunteer at Cliffe Castle Museum?
Find out more on how to become a volunteer.

Learn At Cliffe Castle Museum

Bradford Museums & Galleries’ Learning Team offer a range of exciting, hands-on, curriculum-linked workshops at Cliffe Castle Museum.

Skip to content