About 350 m from the visitor centre on tarmac and gravel, with steps over the old castle's moat, through grounds with 15 habitats; inside the ticketed site.
About
Caerlaverock Castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold, with a wide water-filled moat, a twin-towered gatehouse and lofty battlements, and its triangular plan, three curtain walls linked by high corner towers, is unique among British castles. Inside stands the Maxwells' Nithsdale Lodging of the 1630s, whose ornate Renaissance carvings contrast with the severe walls. In July 1300 Edward I besieged it in person and the small garrison surrendered within two days, an event recorded in one of the most fascinating contemporary accounts of any British siege. In 1640 the garrison held it for Charles I against the Covenanters for 13 weeks before the castle was stripped and its south wall demolished so it could never be defended again. Cross the moat by the drawbridge, climb the south range for views, and follow the short nature trail to the foundations of the earlier castle beside Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve. Visitors allow a couple of hours; the west range and two towers are closed for conservation and prices are reduced.
Check today’s timesPick a day for times and prices
- Until 24 Dec
- Daily 10:00–16:00, last entry 15:30
- 25 Dec–7 Jan
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun 10:00–16:00, last entry 15:30
- 8 Jan–31 Mar
- Daily 10:00–16:00, last entry 15:30
Later dates are in the calendar.
Today, Saturday 24 October
- Caerlaverock Castle10:00 – 16:00last entry 15:30
Opening times may change at short notice.
1 April to 30 September daily 9.30am to 5pm; 1 October to 31 March daily 10am to 4pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing; closed 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Historic Scotland asks visitors to book online in advance to guarantee entry. Notice: most of the castle is open, but while conservation works continue the West Range and two of the towers are not accessible and prices are reduced.
The visitor centre and shop are step-free; the castle is about 200 m up a slope over tarmac, paving and grass, with a short steep grass section down to the moat; the main level route inside is paved around the courtyard to the south range, with steps down into some gravel-floored rooms and historic spiral stairs with handrails to the east range's upper levels; the path to the old castle is about 350 m of tarmac and gravel with steps over its moat. Adapted toilet next to the visitor centre; picnic benches; shop; ear defenders to borrow; the Castle Quest app game for children. Visitors mention a snack and coffee counter and a play area, which HES does not list. Dogs welcome in the outdoor areas.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas; HES's general rule keeps pet dogs out of roofed areas such as the visitor centre and shop. No lead rule is stated for this site. The castle courtyard, grounds and the nature trail to the old castle inside the ticketed site.
Photo: Caerlaverock Castle's red sandstone curtain wall and round corner towers rising from the water-filled moat. DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caerlaverock_Castle_2016.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
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