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
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.
24 July 2025 10:30 am – 24 July 2025 12:30 pm
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
29 July 2025 11:00 am – 29 July 2025 3:00 pm
Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.
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.
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.
30 July 2025 2:00 pm – 30 July 2025 3:00 pm
A gentle introduction into the general topic of Archaeology.
30 July 2025 3:30 pm – 30 July 2025 4:30 pm
Gavin Edwards, offers an insight into an intriguing iron-age hoard
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
30 July 2025 6:30 pm – 30 July 2025 7:30 pm
Delve into the fascinating world of buildings folklore
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7 August 2025 11:00 am – 7 August 2025 3:00 pm
Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop
12 August 2025 11:00 am – 12 August 2025 3:00 pm
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.
13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 August 2025 3:00 pm
Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop
17 August 2025 11:00 am – 17 August 2025 3:00 pm
Making Ice Age inspired jewellery.
28 August 2025 10:30 am – 28 August 2025 12:30 pm
6 September 2025 11:00 am – 6 September 2025 3:00 pm
Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.
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.
20 June 2025 10:00 am – 21 September 2025 4:00 pm
Celebrating historic collections through sustainable design
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”.
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”.
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”.
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.
Learning & Outreach Team
learning@bradford.gov.uk
Volunteering
07976 747341
bmgvolunteers@bradford.gov.uk
Events
01274 436027
events@bradford.gov.uk
Collections
collections@bradford.gov.uk
registry@bradford.gov.uk
Exhibition Programming
programming@bradford.gov.uk
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