Mulgrave Castle, North Yorkshire UK


• 4-star hikes
• 3 to 4 mile options
• Easy | Gain 110-150m (350-500ft)
• Sandsend, UK | North Yorkshire
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Ruins of a historic stone building stand in a grassy clearing surrounded by trees. The weathered structure includes a partially intact tower, collapsed walls, and remnants of arched windows. Two people sit on the grass nearby, providing scale. The sky is partly cloudy, casting soft light on the textured stonework.
The ruins of the 12th century Mulgrave Castle.

Built in the early 11th century as a defensive residence, Mulgrave Castle was constructed on a narrow ridgeline above the small coastal town of Sandsend, just north of Whitby. Likely built by a Norman landowner with royal connections, the castle's strategic position, surrounded by high curtain walls and protected by a dry moat, reflected its builder's wealth and status. Though declared 'ruinous' by 1308, the castle underwent significant modifications during the late 14th and 15th centuries, transforming it into a comfortable fortified residence that would serve the Mulgrave Estate for centuries to come.

Now in ruins, a larger Mulgrave Castle was built nearby and continues to be a private residence today. Thankfully, the estate owners of allow public access to Mulgrave Woods and the castle site, though public access is limited to dawn to dusk on Wednesdays and weekends only - and there's no public access during the month of May.
⬤ 4★ Circular Route   3.9 mi loop, easy, gain 150m (500ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤3★ Out and Back   3.2 mi out & back, easy, gain 110m (350ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 $  Paid parking     !   Limited access (see article)

There are two hiking options to reach the ruined castle, both of which begin at the East Row parking area that we've marked on our map as 'Trailhead & Parking'. Other paid parking is available in Sandsend and marked on our map, though it's likely that the East Row parking offers the lowest fees. Some free parking spaces may also be available close to the public toilets located at the east side of the town.

The circular hike is our recommended route. The out-and-back trip along East Row Beck is shorter and has less elevation gain, but it offers few of views and features that can be found on the circular route.

We've categorized both of these trails as easy, but with the caveat that there's some modest paved hill-climbing on both routes Additionally, the circular route includes a brief section of road with less than ideal pedestrian accommodations.

A lively beach scene with people enjoying the shallow water and sandy shore. In the foreground, grassy vegetation borders the beach, while a lifeguard station on stilts stands to the left. Residential buildings line the left edge, and forested hills and rocky cliffs rise in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Golden sands stretch 2½ miles from Whitby to Sandsend.

On the circular hike, begin by following the paved pedestrian seawall route and continue on the narrow roadside footpath up Lythe Bank. Within a short distance you may be alarmed to see the path disappear at the moment you reach a sharp bend in the road. We recommend continuing along the road - preferably walking in the middle of the road to see and be seen by oncoming road traffic. Thankfully the path resumes after this bend, and there are no other such close encounters with road vehicles. Be sure to glance back over your shoulder for sweeping coastal views toward the famous seaside town of Whitby, crowned unmistakably by its clifftop abbey.

Enter the Mulgrave Estate by crossing the road by the former gatehouse, and follow the road that bifuractes the expanse of grassland leading toward the current estate residence. Take a left turn when you reach the 'private property' signs and head into Mulgrave Woods. The rest of the trail is under tree cover, and almost entirely downhill.

After emerging from a brick-lined tunnel, turn right, then take another right up the embankment steps for your first glimpse of the Mulgrave Castle ruins. Follow the path around the tall stone retaining wall to reach the entrance to the castle and its grounds. To complete the loop and return to the trailhead, descend along the wide unpaved roads that wind gently downhill.

A red car drives down a winding coastal road bordered by lush green hedges, heading toward a seaside village with red-tiled rooftops nestled among trees and fields. Beyond the village, cliffs and a sandy beach meet the calm ocean under an overcast sky. A pier extends into the water in the distance.
Looking towards Whitby on the hike up Lythe Bank.

A person walks across a paved road in front of a Gothic-style stone cottage with pointed arch windows, steep gables, and a slate roof topped with chimneys. The garden features blooming flowers and climbing plants. The road is flanked by a white picket fence and a wooden fence, with dense green trees in the background.
Crossing from Lythe Bank into the Mulgrave Estate.

A person in a light blue top and dark pants walks along a winding paved path through a grassy field dotted with grazing sheep. Dense green trees form a forested backdrop under a mostly clear sky with light cloud cover, creating a peaceful rural scene.
Sheep grazing on the lawns of Mulgrave Estate.

Split image showing two forest paths. On the left, a person in a light blue shirt and dark pants walks away along a leaf-covered dirt trail through a lush green forest. On the right, a person in a red shirt and black backpack walks toward a brick tunnel entrance surrounded by dense greenery, adding a sense of mystery to the wooded scene.
Forested trails eventually tunnel through an embankment.

Weathered stone ruins of a historic building, possibly a medieval castle or abbey, stand in a grassy rural landscape. The structure features arched openings and partial walls made of large stone blocks, surrounded by trees and open fields. A partly cloudy sky casts soft light over the peaceful scene.
Another perspective on the Norman Mulgrave Castle.

A small stream flows through a grassy foreground in a picturesque village. On the right, pastel-colored houses with red-tiled roofs line a gentle hillside, surrounded by trees and flowering plants. A few people walk along a nearby path. In the background, more houses and wooded hills rise under an overcast sky.
Cottages along Sandsend Beck.

Tangents:
• External Links: Wikipedia, Mulgrave Estate
• AllTrails Public: Sandsend, Mulgrave Wood and Castle


A castleated tower with defensive walls and colorful heraldic crest.
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