Old Wardour Castle
Shaftesbury, United Kingdom Castle
One of the Best Places To Visits in Ansty Frequently mentioned in reviews: Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors. Fantastic ruin in a peaceful setting by a lake, with good views over the surrounding countryside. Dating back to the 14th century, the was ravaged during the English civil war, and now stands as a picturesque ruin overlooked by the new Wardour house. There's an guide to really make the most of your visit, and information boards around the site. Facilities include a small gift shop, onsite parking and toilets by the banqueting hall. There's more to see around the grounds, including a curious grotto, and the public footpath around the back of the is the walk, as there are great views over the (though it is muddy after rain). I got in free with English Heritage membership, but the £7.50 ticket price for non members represents good value. One of the most appealing I've visited, with much of the interior still accessible, and a setting. Well a with your English Heritage membership. Quite a lot of the remains despite it getting blown up during the Civil War... Can spend a good couple of hours exploring the building and grounds. It's not really all that important site, but there is an interesting tour doing that explains about a lot of the of the building and those who owned it. As ever, the staff in the little shop / café were extremely nice and very friendly. Visited today it was a little further a field than what I expected and lots of bendy narrow roads to get to. I enjoyed the tape that came with the ticket and the displays dotted around. There was even a trail and some fun activities for kids sort of like a “ would you rather…” tale. Enjoyed the And the beautiful forest too. Liked that you could go all the way up to the 4th floor and see the amazing views. It is also dog friendly, dogs were in the with their owners! A place for a picnic. You could even fish I think from one of the many jetties over the lake . I also noticed the #WessexRidgeway goes right past there. Definitely a visit. @thewobbleyOwl came with me. Old Wardour is a ruined 14th-century located in the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire, England, near the village of Tisbury. Known for its unique hexagonal design and rich history, it is a popular managed by English Heritage. The road to drive there is a bit narrow (one lane), tricky if incoming trafic, but once there is well worthy Superb place !!! Most interactive that I’ve ever been to! It was really fun to look around all of the rooms and the stairs are still intact in most of the so exploring the rooms and where all of the people used to be was wonderful. The views from the top of the were fantastic and would definitely recommend. Staff in the office were really and friendly too. The drive up is a little fun…think one way road but it’s actually two ways. Great English Heritage and really enjoyed our time here! Was really quiet too. Superb if you are into old castles and ruins. Not a ton of people were there when we visited so that made the experience even better. staff who saved us money by making us members of the English Heritage and crediting our Stonehenge tickets. Just a beautiful place to explore, and the is just amazing you can go from top too bottom, even tho it’s a ruin , definitely a good day out A great little with an amazing history, which was all well explained on the information boards dotted around. We enjoyed exploring the castle,you can climb the many staircases up through 4 or 5 floors. It maybe small but there is a lot to see. views from the top floor towards New Wardour (a stately home rather than a castle). The are small but well maintained. A wonderful setting for a ruined castle. The tour is excellent and free. The are romantic with plenty of stairs to climb would highly recommend a A Magical and Romantic Historical Gem! Old Wardour is an absolute treasure! From the moment you arrive, the breathtaking setting—nestled among rolling hills, lush forests, and a serene lake—feels like stepping into a fairy tale . The are beautifully preserved, offering a fascinating glimpse into medieval while still evoking the grandeur of its past . What makes this place truly special is its romantic atmosphere. Whether you're exploring the spiral staircases, admiring the panoramic views from the towers, or discovering hidden nooks like the charming grotto, every corner feels enchanting . The 18th-century banqueting pavilion by the lake adds an extra touch of elegance, making it a dreamy spot for weddings and photography . The is perfect for a peaceful day out—bring a picnic, wander the grounds, and soak in the history. The staff are friendly, and the information boards provide just the right amount of detail without overwhelming visitors. Plus, the drive up to the is an experience in itself, with stunning scenery at every turn . If you love history, architecture, or simply beautiful landscapes, Old Wardour is a must-visit. Even in ruins, it’s one of the most picturesque and atmospheric places I’ve ever been. Highly recommend! We had a great time exploring the and grounds, not sure why we hadn't been before! Well a but would suggest bringing a picnic there is no cafe and the little shop there had sold out of all cold drinks after the bank Holiday! This is a old on a run by English heritage. Our 5 year old wanted to a in February half term and we chose Old Wardour. We opted for the free tour, which my little one loved! There were lots of boards around the with numbers on that you type into the tour and could hear really informative descriptions of what the rooms used to look like, what they were used for and who used the rooms. The grotto in the is especially beautiful and I've never soon one like that before. Definitely recommend a for those interested in and/history. Been here twice now, and love it. Away from crowds this one. Was built more of a statement of wealth more than a defensive bastion but the English Civil War saw it come under assault. I love the information boards around the that help you imagine it in its heyday. Famous for being the Loxley home in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. I like the graffiti that can be seen on the ground level walls, particularly on the front. Look for the Second World War era markings left by U.S servicemen. Although a little hard to drive to down those narrow single country lanes, it is a place! The guide is great to get an overview of the history. But even without it is a stunning location. This place is truly fascinating and evocative. We stopped on our way back from Devon on a cool summer weekday, so I think that as there were only a few people visiting the castle, it made our even more magical and suggestive. A place a once in a lifetime visit, and not just because some scenes of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves were filmed 😉 The road to the is one lane hair pin turns with hedges going 60 mph. Ha! the white knuckle drive. Beautiful area. Amazing ruins. A wonderful place to visit. Especially if you like to filming locations, Kevin Costner's Robin Hood Prince of Thieves was filmed here. Beautiful setting by a lake for photography and plenty for the kids to run and explore. We tried to get inside so many times, but we always arrived by the time it was closed. Still beautiful, but the inside was the wait! The are beautifully maintained, the staff is and the is stunning and a lot bigger than it looks! The ground floor is pretty accessible but the stairs are very steep, so people with mobility issues might have a problem viewing the upper floors. There is an accessible bathroom as well as other facilities. Decided to for an afternoon. Had a afternoon wandering around the ruins. The weather made it a experience. We made use of the narrated guide. The staff were welcoming and helpful. You do need relatively good mobility to get around as there are steps to get the most from your visit. A little off the beaten path but so a trip to this fantastic little piece of history. It's not as busy as other castles and that adds to it's charm, so much of the to explore and mostly all to yourself. The story behind this is very interesting and well told in boards around the site. On a sunny day this would be a fantastic spot to take a picnic with the kids and explore. They do have covered and uncovered picnic benches and toilets down some steep steps. 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Address · Phone · Hours
- Address
- Tisbury, Ansty, England, GB
- Phone
- +44 370 333 1181
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM to 4 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM to 4 PM |
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