About
Old Wardour Castle is a six-sided 14th-century tower house whose unusual design is unique in England. The Arundell family modernised it in Tudor times, leaving their coat of arms above the entrance, while later additions include a Georgian banqueting house and a fantasy Gothic grotto incorporating prehistoric standing stones. Inside the ruins, spiral staircases reveal surviving rooms and views across the grounds; outside, lawns and scattered trees make space for a picnic. Families can explore the changing fortunes of the owners through the castle's activity game, and an audio guide helps explain the buildings. Dogs are allowed at the property. Reviewers particularly enjoy being able to explore several levels of the ruins and praise the well-kept grounds. Bring your own lunch if you want a full meal: the shop sells snacks and drinks, but there is no cafe. Allow extra time for the narrow approach roads and take care on the steep castle stairs.
OpenSee all times
- Old Wardour Castle10:00 – 17:00
Opening times may change at short notice.
Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October 2026; daily 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November. From 2 November to 20 December, open Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. Check the official calendar for later dates and event exceptions.
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card; National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits; special events may have separate arrangements.
Accessibility: Wheelchair access is limited to the grounds and castle ground floor, with a grass ramp to the courtyard. The tower has 93 steps and narrow spiral stairs; there is no lift. Accessible toilets and entrance set-down are available.
PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£10
Free entry with English Heritage membership
Entry
Non-member prices
Adult£10.00
Child (5-17)£5.00
Concession£9.00
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)£25.00
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)£15.00
Pricing details
Standard-day walk-up price without voluntary donation; varies by date. Book by midnight the day before to save 15%. Children under 5 enter free. Adult walk-up range: £9.00 off-peak to £10.90 peak. EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card; National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits; special events may have separate arrangements.
Standard-day walk-up price without voluntary donation; varies by date. Book by midnight the day before to save 15%. Children under 5 enter free. EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card; National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits; special events may have separate arrangements.
ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors
No charge for anyone.
Parking details
Free on-site parking for 20 cars, with overflow space for a further 50. Two accessible bays are about 20m from the gates; approach roads are narrow.
EH sat-nav coordinates 51.036122, -2.092804 fall in woodland beside the lake rather than the arrival road. Google satellite imagery identifies the visitor car park north of the castle; its coordinates were read from the map. Use the signed castle approach and this parking pin, then walk to admissions.
Walking routes1 route
Paths towards Ansty and the Donheads(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkDog access not confirmed
EH identifies a walking area at Old Wardour Castle with paths towards Ansty and the Donheads. Castle admission is separate; on-site parking is free. Distances, external-route charges and dog rules are not specified.
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Checked 2026-09-13
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