About
Donnington Castle rises above Newbury, its twin-towered gatehouse the most substantial survivor of a 14th-century residence built for Sir Richard Abberbury. His private rooms lay within the gatehouse, while the surrounding earthworks reveal the site's later role in the English Civil War. The contrast between the tall stone entrance and the low defensive banks makes the changing shape of the castle easy to appreciate from outside. Information boards explain its construction and wartime history, and reviewers repeatedly praise both the hilltop views and the surviving gatehouse. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds. Expect an outdoor visit unless you have booked one of the separately arranged guided tours. The approach from the car park follows a fairly steep gravel path, and the grass around the ruins is uneven. Bring what you need for your visit; English Heritage points visitors towards Newbury for cafes, shops and other facilities.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- Donnington CastleOpen any reasonable time during daylight hours
Opening times may change at short notice.
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours. Check the official calendar for later dates and event exceptions. The car park opens 7am-7pm.
The outdoor site is free to everyone; no membership is required. Any guided-tour booking and parking are separate.
Accessibility: A fairly steep gravel path climbs from the car park to uneven grass around the ruins. Detailed step-free access to the gatehouse is not confirmed; ask before booking a tour.
Parking: On-site car park costs £2 for non-members, payable by text or through the EH-linked advance payment service. Free for EH members displaying a valid car sticker. Car park open 7am-7pm; do not block village lanes when full.
The outdoor site is free to enter during reasonable daylight hours. Gatehouse/site guided tours run on selected dates and require an advance timed booking; EH members receive free tour tickets. The non-member tour price is not confirmed and is separate from free grounds access.
Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome on the freely accessible outdoor site.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads may explore the free outdoor grounds; gatehouse tour permission is not confirmed.
Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. No adjoining route with explicit dog permission is identified on the official pages checked.
Leads: On leads in permitted areas.
Seasonal dog restrictions: Not addressed separately.
Assistance dogs: Not addressed separately.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
The outdoor site is free to everyone; no membership is required. Any guided-tour booking and parking are separate.
ParkingFree for members
On-site car park costs £2 for non-members, payable by text or through the EH-linked advance payment service. Free for EH members displaying a valid car sticker. Car park open 7am-7pm; do not block village lanes when full.
Parking details
On-site car park costs £2 for non-members, payable by text or through the EH-linked advance payment service. Free for EH members displaying a valid car sticker. Car park open 7am-7pm; do not block village lanes when full.
Driving pin: Donnington Castle Car Park. Listing name and position checked against the arrival parking described at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/donnington-castle/directions/ and the EH visitor page; attraction identity is stored separately. On-site car park costs £2 for non-members, payable by text or through the EH-linked advance payment service. Free for EH members displaying a valid car sticker. Car park open 7am-7pm; do not block village lanes when full.
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