Towton Battlefield
Towton Battlefield
4.5
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22 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
164 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
32
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Dean A
Sheffield, UK48 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Been thinking about this walk for a while, often pass the sign for Towton when driving up and down the A1. Finally had a look and noted it was the anniversary so booked the walk. Have to say it was excellent, well paced and our guide had good knowledge of the battle and the associated time period.
The walk is very easy with no challenging terrain and as well as the expert guide there were good information points along the way. The price was very reasonable and provided good value for money.
As it was palm Sunday there were also some tents displaying medieval items and men wearing the armour of those in the battle etc, also archery was available to try, the archery was very reasonably priced and everything else was free, the people were very friendly without being pompous, a perfect day and one I would highly recommend.
The walk is very easy with no challenging terrain and as well as the expert guide there were good information points along the way. The price was very reasonable and provided good value for money.
As it was palm Sunday there were also some tents displaying medieval items and men wearing the armour of those in the battle etc, also archery was available to try, the archery was very reasonably priced and everything else was free, the people were very friendly without being pompous, a perfect day and one I would highly recommend.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tandemflyer
Leeds, UK65 contributions
Feb 2022
Attended one of the Towton Battlefield Society on a guided walk and despite the best efforts of the cold wet windy weather we had a great educational time!
Three of us went with two puppies (on leads) and met the other 6 members of our party for a guided talk of the area. I feel that we were lucky to have Chris Murphy as our guide as he was very knowledgeable and approachable and was able to communicate the story of the battle and more importantly an overview of the events leading up to and following the battle. The additional background information gave a clear insight into the whole 30 year 'War of the Roses' period and was delivered to an audience ranging from pre teens to fifty plus seamlessly, which is an enviable skill.
The addition of the new information following the discovery of the Towton Chapel site and DNA results added greatly to the tour. As a bit of a history geek I can't recommend the guided walks enough, to any age and whatever your interest and knowledge.
I will definitely be visiting Sandal, Ferrybridge, Wakefield and Bosworth enthused following the tour.
Although the Tour is free I would suggest that a good donation to the TBS is worthwhile as the work they have done to preserve the site is evident and to a very high standard.
Three of us went with two puppies (on leads) and met the other 6 members of our party for a guided talk of the area. I feel that we were lucky to have Chris Murphy as our guide as he was very knowledgeable and approachable and was able to communicate the story of the battle and more importantly an overview of the events leading up to and following the battle. The additional background information gave a clear insight into the whole 30 year 'War of the Roses' period and was delivered to an audience ranging from pre teens to fifty plus seamlessly, which is an enviable skill.
The addition of the new information following the discovery of the Towton Chapel site and DNA results added greatly to the tour. As a bit of a history geek I can't recommend the guided walks enough, to any age and whatever your interest and knowledge.
I will definitely be visiting Sandal, Ferrybridge, Wakefield and Bosworth enthused following the tour.
Although the Tour is free I would suggest that a good donation to the TBS is worthwhile as the work they have done to preserve the site is evident and to a very high standard.
Written February 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pinkvoid
Leeds, UK30 contributions
Mar 2023
Amazing guided tour around the battlefield today. The guide Chris Murphy was brilliant, a passionately knowledgeable and enthusiastic guy but also humble so he made the tour funny at times and engaged everyone well.
Well worth the £6 per person, added benefit of a lovely scenic stroll on a Sunday so fresh air and we got our steps in! It’s just over 4km and lasts around 2.5 hours. I highly recommend to anyone even if you have limited prior knowledge of the Wars of the Roses.
Keep up the good work Towton Battlefield society!
Well worth the £6 per person, added benefit of a lovely scenic stroll on a Sunday so fresh air and we got our steps in! It’s just over 4km and lasts around 2.5 hours. I highly recommend to anyone even if you have limited prior knowledge of the Wars of the Roses.
Keep up the good work Towton Battlefield society!
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd A B
Clayton, UK1 contribution
Apr 2021
The Towton Battlefield Society offers free guided walks (prebooking required). I had 2 excellent guides, Chris and Mic, who were incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining storytellers, and helped bring the grisly history of the battle to life. Highly recommended for any medieval history buff or Shakespeare fan. My 13-year-old enjoyed it too.
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nasinleeds
Leeds52 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We did a tour of the Towton battlefield with Penny a volunteer from the Towton Battlefield Society. It was excellent - great explanation of the context of the Wars of the Roses, and really brought to life the battle itself, and what the experience must have been like for those involved. Penny was very knowledgeable and responsive to questions from the group ( about 15 of us). It was completely free, although donations of £5 per person were suggested, which we gladly gave. Afterwards, we then visited the Crooked Billet, who keep the key for a small museum that the Society have set up in the pub’s beer garden. Altogether, a great morning. Our only criticism / warning is that traffic noise in some parts of the route can make the guide’s narration difficult to hear.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • Couples
Our guide Chris, brought the battle to life, giving very interesting background on many of the historic figures with 'Yorkshire' humour thrown in for free. Excellent morning, followed by a quick pint at The Rockingham Arms.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey M
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Friends
Went on Towton Battlefield walk guided by Chris Murphy today. Being local felt odd playing a tourist but Chris was very knowledgeable, detailing lots of facts, figures and descriptions to paint a vivid picture of the bloody battle. All delivered in a manner that made it very interesting. Would definitely recommend.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annegF2397MU
Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom6 contributions
Aug 2020
We were lucky to have Penny Wood as our guide for the battlefield tour last Sunday. She was knowledgeable, informative, and really did bring the battle to life. She explained the history and all aspects of the Wars of the Roses and the battle itself with such passion and enthusiasm that the 3 hours she spent with us flew by. We shall remember this tour and Penny with fondness and we will certainly return near to Palm Sunday one year to repeat the experience and visit the nearby pubs for Sunday lunch. Thanks Penny.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard D
2 contributions
Sep 2021
What an excellent excursion!
Six gathered individually and as small groups to walk the Battlefield Trail at Towton. Met, guided and comprehensively informed by Penny from the Towton Battlefield Society, whose knowledge seemed encyclopaedic and whose briefings at each stage progressively developed a picture of this bloodiest of battles as we walked the trail.
Questions and Penny's answers along the route extended the walk and enhanced interest and enjoyment.
Sunshine, breeze and dry footing helped, so different from the 'howling wind, driving sleet and snow' of Palm Sunday in 1461.
Well worth the drive from Lincolnshire and thoroughly recommended.
Six gathered individually and as small groups to walk the Battlefield Trail at Towton. Met, guided and comprehensively informed by Penny from the Towton Battlefield Society, whose knowledge seemed encyclopaedic and whose briefings at each stage progressively developed a picture of this bloodiest of battles as we walked the trail.
Questions and Penny's answers along the route extended the walk and enhanced interest and enjoyment.
Sunshine, breeze and dry footing helped, so different from the 'howling wind, driving sleet and snow' of Palm Sunday in 1461.
Well worth the drive from Lincolnshire and thoroughly recommended.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cliff
Norfolk, UK16 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great views even on a dull day. The iinfo boards are informative and give an idea of the scale of this conflict, as well as historical context.
We started at the Crooked Billett car park and followed the footpath to Saxton, but we could equally have started via the lead church.
Parts of the footpath were muddy and slippery which you expect in March after a period of rain and snow. We had anticipated that and the 'going' did not detract from the trail being a very enjoyable walk. There are significantly challenging parts of the trail, so it is suitable for the majority of able bodied walkers. There are occasional benches for walkers to sit and enjoy the view.
Where ever you join the trail, there are 2 pubs for refreshments and food.
We started at the Crooked Billett car park and followed the footpath to Saxton, but we could equally have started via the lead church.
Parts of the footpath were muddy and slippery which you expect in March after a period of rain and snow. We had anticipated that and the 'going' did not detract from the trail being a very enjoyable walk. There are significantly challenging parts of the trail, so it is suitable for the majority of able bodied walkers. There are occasional benches for walkers to sit and enjoy the view.
Where ever you join the trail, there are 2 pubs for refreshments and food.
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thehistorygirls2016
Huddersfield, UK
Can you let me know how I can obtain a map/description of the walk at Towton Battlefield?
Is there a medieval manor house near the Towton Battlefield and, if so, are members of the public allowed to visit?
Also was a chapel built in the vicinity of the battlefield in memory of the dead?
thehistorygirls2016
Huddersfield, UK
Is there a medieval manor house near the Towton Battlefield and, if so, are members of the public allowed to visit?
Also was a chapel built in the vicinity of the battlefield in memory of the dead?
How can I obtain a map/description of the walk at Towton Battlefield?
Russell D
Tadcaster, UK109 contributions
There were at one time three different sites to what could be considered the manor of Towton. There was an early saxon settlement at the end of Old London Road where a new house now stands. This was excavated when the new house was built. The old Manor House was at the opposite end of the village and was demolished to make way for the development of the village some 25 years ago. The remaining Towton Hall stands on the site of Richard III 'lost' chapel which was commenced after the battle of 1461 to commemorate the dead in a battle that was to give no quarter and is referred to as the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. The house is privately owned and is not open to the public. It was extended to the north east in the 90's and is the site of a mass grave of archers. The Battle Field has now been open to the public as a circular walk starting at The Rockingham Arms. The pub name has nothing to do with the Battle and is a nod to the historic relationship the village had with Horses and Racing as Towton was a horse owned by the Wentworth Estate. There has been an Inn on this site since the late 18th Century and it makes a great place to end up after a long walk with some excellent food and cask ales on offer.
Towton Battlefield
Frequently Asked Questions about Towton Battlefield
- Hotels near Towton Battlefield:
- (6.97 mi) The Dovecote Barns York
- (7.24 mi) Harmony House Boutique B&B
- (8.69 mi) Dairymans Cottage B&B
- (0.62 mi) Bluebell Cottage, Saxton Grange. Adjacent to the ever popular Primrose Cottage
- (9.53 mi) Burswood Guest House
- Restaurants near Towton Battlefield:
- (0.74 mi) The Rockingham Arms Towton
- (2.39 mi) Roast Coffee Shop
- (2.42 mi) The Jackdaw
- (2.93 mi) The Lemon Tree
- (1.49 mi) The Crooked Billet Inn
Towton Battlefield Information
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