Walmer Castle and Gardens

CastleKentEnglish Heritage4.7(4,756 on Google)

Book tickets Website

£12.67

non-member

Free

EH members

4.7

on Google

Open

see times

Walmer Castle began as a Tudor coastal fortress and later became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a role held by the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Today the gardens are the focus of a visit while the castle interiors are closed for a major conservation project. Explore the Broadwalk's clipped yew hedge, the productive kitchen garden and the Queen Mother's Garden, then continue into woodland and the restored glen. A natural play trail gives children climbing features and other discoveries among the trees. Reviewers repeatedly single out the gardens, woodland walks and places to pause for refreshments. Bring a picnic and allow time to explore beyond the formal planting. Some garden areas have steps, although several main routes have smoother paths. Pet dogs are not allowed in the grounds or gardens; assistance dogs are welcome.

Walking routes

Woodland Walk and play trail

Enter through Walmer garden admissions; normal garden ticket or EH membership required. Opposite car park is separately charged for non-members; tariff not confirmed. Severe weather can close garden and play routes.

Not suitable for dogs

Checked 2026-09-10

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Gardens10:00 - 17:00
Castle interiorCLOSED

Opening time details

Castle interiors are closed for a major conservation project. Gardens and refreshments remain open; EH applies a 30% ticket reduction during closure. No reopening date is confirmed.

Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October, then 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November; weekends 10am-4pm from 2 November to 20 December. Christmas dates vary.

Last admission is normally one hour before closing. Check the date-specific calendar and any notices before travelling.

EH members enter free with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits and can save up to 15%; events may differ.

The castle interiors are closed for conservation. Broadwalk, Queen Mothers Garden and Woodland Walk have smoother gravel routes; the glen and castle require steps. Limited accessible spaces and entrance drop-off are available.

Parking: Council car park opposite the castle: free for EH members displaying a valid sticker, charged for non-members via RingGo or in the castle shop. Current tariff not confirmed. Seasonal on-site overflow, when open, is free for all.

Displayed entry rows include the current 30% closure reduction, calculated from the published standard walk-up tariff without donation. Confirm the final date-specific amount when booking.

Image: Walmer Castle from the gardens. Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walmer_Castle_22.jpg

Dogs at the location: Not allowed. Pet dogs are not allowed in the castle visitor grounds or gardens. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Dog walks in the grounds: Not allowed. Pet dogs are not permitted on the garden or woodland trails, despite the availability of walks for visitors.

Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed: research did not establish a complete nearby dog route with its access, parking and seasonal rules. Do not infer permission from nearby green space.

Leads: Pet dogs are not admitted to the visitor site.

Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed: no separate seasonal dog policy was established. Follow current notices and any temporary exclusions.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome, as stated in the official facilities/access guidance.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult (30% closure reduction)

£12.67

Child (5-17) (30% closure reduction)

£6.30

Concession (30% closure reduction)

£11.41

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) (30% closure reduction)

£31.78

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children) (30% closure reduction)

£19.04

Pricing details

Calculated from the published £18.10 standard-day walk-up tariff without donation, less the official 30% reduction while the castle interiors are closed. Date-specific prices and online discounts vary; confirm the final amount when booking. EH members enter free.

Calculated from the published £9.00 standard-day walk-up tariff without donation, less the official 30% reduction while the castle interiors are closed. Date-specific prices and online discounts vary; confirm the final amount when booking. EH members enter free.

Calculated from the published £16.30 standard-day walk-up tariff without donation, less the official 30% reduction while the castle interiors are closed. Date-specific prices and online discounts vary; confirm the final amount when booking. EH members enter free.

Calculated from the published £45.40 standard-day walk-up tariff without donation, less the official 30% reduction while the castle interiors are closed. Date-specific prices and online discounts vary; confirm the final amount when booking. EH members enter free.

Calculated from the published £27.20 standard-day walk-up tariff without donation, less the official 30% reduction while the castle interiors are closed. Date-specific prices and online discounts vary; confirm the final amount when booking. EH members enter free.

Parking

Parking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

Council car park opposite the castle: free for EH members displaying a valid sticker, charged for non-members via RingGo or in the castle shop. Current tariff not confirmed. Seasonal on-site overflow, when open, is free for all.

For driving directions, use the visitor car park shown by the map pin and follow the signed pedestrian route to the entrance.

Pins

Enamel pin badges sold in the shop here, photographed by visitors.

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Facilities

ParkingCafeShopToiletsBaby changingGardensPicnic areaPlay area