Knaresborough Castle Sallyport Tours - Knaresborough Castle and Museum

Join us for a short, guided tour of Knaresborough Castle’s secret underground tunnel, the Sallyport - once used to slip in and out of the castle unnoticed, or to escape during an attack.

One of Knaresborough Castle's most unusual features is the Sallyport. The hidden tunnel was used for secret entry and exit to the castle. It was large enough for a small group of armed men to leave the castle quietly at night and launch an attack on any besieging troops.

Built in the late 13th or mid-14th century, it is cut out of the solid rock and slopes steeply down to the level of the bottom of the dry moat or ditch, where there is an exit. Its entrance was likely to have hidden by a slab in the stone floor of a building, known only to a trusted few.

The Sallyport is only accessible via stair, and some of the path is slippery, sturdy footwear is advised. The sallyport is subject to low light levels. Additional information: These tours are subject to suitable weather conditions. Sturdy footwear is advised.