Lulworth Castle

About

Lulworth Castle was built in around 1608 as a Jacobean hunting lodge in the fashionably retro style of a medieval castle, and became the ancestral home of the Weld family. Gutted by fire in 1929, it has been partly restored in a pioneering partnership with English Heritage and is owned and run by the Lulworth Estate. Climb a tower for panoramic views over the Dorset coast and countryside, then head into the parkland, with its children's playground and space for a picnic. Nearby stand St Mary's Chapel, disguised as a domed garden temple and the first free-standing Catholic chapel built since the Reformation, and St Andrew's Church, designed in part by a young Thomas Hardy. Reviewers single out the restoration, which leaves fire-scarred masonry exposed around new timber floors. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome inside the castle. Check the estate's calendar before visiting, as the castle closes on some dates and hosts weddings.

CastleDog friendlyParkingRefreshmentsShopToiletsBaby changingPicnic areaPlay areaDogs on leads

Check today’s timesSee all times

Lulworth Castle10:30 – 17:00

Opening times may change at short notice.

Castle and grounds open Sunday to Thursday, 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4pm) from 1 March to 30 October; 10.30am to 4pm (last entry 3pm) from 1 November. EH's page shows 10.30am to 4pm, so check the estate's times.

Extra closures in 2026: Friday 25 September, 16 October and 27 November; closed for winter from 24 December 2026 until 1 February 2027. Castle tickets are needed for the grounds and playground during special events.

Owned and run by the Lulworth Estate; tickets are sold through the estate's ticket site and booking ahead is recommended. Standard admission is free for English Heritage members with a valid individual card, no booking needed; corporate EH, Cadw and Historic Scotland memberships and EH newspaper vouchers are not valid. National Trust membership alone does not grant free entry.

PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£9

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult£9.00

Child (4-15)£6.00

Senior (65+)£8.00

Student (full-time, with ID)£8.00

Pricing details

Lulworth Estate 'Standard admission' band, read on the ticket page for 27 September 2026; other date bands (autumn half term, summer savings, Christmas events) differ. Under 4s free; no family ticket listed. Booking ahead is recommended; tickets can be bought on the day if capacity allows. EH members enter free with a valid individual card; corporate EH, Cadw and Historic Scotland cards and EH newspaper vouchers are not valid.

ParkingPay to park

Estate pay and display parking, 3.00 pounds per vehicle all day; English Heritage members pay too.. Not a Trust car park, so membership does not cover it.

Parking details

Lulworth Estate pay and display parking at 3.00 pounds per vehicle all day, not managed by English Heritage; it also gives access to the park, woodland walks, playground and picnic areas. English Heritage membership does not cover parking.

Driving arrival: the estate's grass visitor parking near the Estate Office, signposted from the A352. For disabled parking, drive round to the far side of the castle and use the intercom in the lobby.