old wardour castle

We looked for somewhere to go in the English Heritage book and my son thought it might be too small and we nearly didn't go. We decided to risk it and also had a couple of places to visit on the route home, depending on time. We're so pleased we went !! It's a fabulous place with much more available to look round than we expected and we could take our puppy too. It was very atmospheric and even started hailing when we were on in the upper floors ! Spooky ! The audio guide is very interesting and tells the history well. I believe its been used in film sets too. There is a little kiosk/entrance cabin selling coffee, ice creams, drinks etc and souvenir sword toys for the kids The only thing we didn't particularly enjoy was the single road with passing places on the way to the castle !! Townies - not used to it !! Well worth a visit !

The castle is the the protection of English Heritage, I visited in the first week of February so the open times of the year are better than some.The castle is imposing from the front; rising many stories high; the ground around it is landscaped and laid to lawn as the castle was used as an landscape ornament by the owners when the built their new home across the lake; mostly because this castle was too badly damaged in the civil war to be used again. Whilst imposing from the front; from the rear the wall is completely missing so it is reminiscent of a dolls-house with one wall removed.It is possible to climb (steep) stairs to many levels. Floors have been recreated with concrete to allow, safe access. Lots where you an go in and lots of parts now missing.Beautiful ruined castle; worth a visit; but as a ruin its going to be cold ion a cold windy day. Next to a lake; landscaped as a garden. Its a lovely place. Can't make out all the original defences though due to the later landscaping.I loved it.

We have recently moved to the area and fancied an afternoon out - we stumbled across this place and really enjoyed the walk around the grounds.It cost £4.20 each (adult) or free if you're a member of English Heritage. We spent about 90 minutes there and that was ample time, especially as it was very cold. I'm sure in the summer you could happily spend longer here, perhaps sitting on the grass areas. The castle is well signed. The car park is small, but on the Sunday afternoon when we visited, there were plenty of spaces. We were able to purchase a coffee from the main reception/cash desk.The castle was used in the 1991 movie, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It was built in 1392, but partially destroyed in the English Civil War in 1644.

Local beauty spot owned by national trust,used in the film Robin Hood prince of thieves overlooks a beautiful lake.Situated just outside the picturesque village of Tisbury

For Sat Nav ussers look out for the English Heritage signs when you get close as the castle is down a tiny lane in width but plenty of passing places and sat nav will take you into the heart of the villageWhat a delight when you get there, There is no cafe as such inside so we did take something to eat and drink before we went in, But there is a hot drink dispenser inside the entrance, probs not free thoughThere is a audio guide to tell you of the castle in days gone past and its free as you go round the castle which will take you about 2 to 3 hours listening to it all, Don't think you will spend all day there so have some where else to go after or before you get thereThere are some very steep steps if you wish to go up a few floors and a hand rail to help youSo if your not nimble on your feet then you may wish to stay on the ground floors Warning signs to tell you of uneven steps so take careEnglish Heritage Members are free other have a small charge to get in

We visited the castle en route home from Dorset, it was midweek and the weather was not great being that it rained on and off most of the day, having negotiated the single country lane for three miles, we arrived to the most spectacular serene setting, the rain just added to the aura as it was near deserted as we made our way through the castle with the excellent audio guide to tell the history of this unusual castle, and it's unusual six sided design. We took some amazing photos of our visit to this secret hideaway castle in the perfect setting.

This is a beautiful old ruin with a really interesting history in a peaceful setting. The information on the boards dotted around the site plus the audio tour was great at telling its story. If you get the chance to visit - do it!!

We visited this castle after a morning spent at Stonehenge and enjoyed an hour or so wandering around. The historical fact displays are informative and don't other detail. A pleasant dalliance.

Live close to wardour castle and visit occasionally. Magnificent castle and wonderful scenery. Like to visit with friends and even have a good friend that is getting married in the castle next year. Even if you don't pay to go into the castle just sitting on the grass by the carpark when the sun is going down or wandering in the nearby woods is lovely.

We visited on a rainy afternoon after a visit to Stonehenge. It is a bit off the beaten track but worth a wonder around. The grounds are stunning and the castle was interesting to look around accompanied by the audio tour. Only down side was the weather!

Visited on a misty (little bit rainy) August day with 2 kids. They had a Robin Hood event on for the kids which as all EH events are - was fantastic - sword school, kiddy jousting, archery and storytelling kept them entertained for a good few hours. The castle itself is lovely and the scenery and surroundings are stunning (even when it's a little misty!) The kids thoroughly enjoyed exploring and there were no complaints about being bored. It is well out of the way and when driving to it I felt like I was literally in the middle of nowhere and maybe going the wrong way but just keep going and you get there in the end!My only small issue was the lack of info given about the audio guides. When we went in they asked if we wanted to buy a guidebook but there was no mention at all about the audio guide. I noticed there were numbers around the castle and then people were walking round with the guides - I presumed they were at a charge but in the end I asked someone and they said no they were free but they hadn't been offered them either - they had gone back and asked. I was slightly confused at the lack of info about the site on boards etc as EH are usually quite good at that. I did go back and get a guide but unfortunately I had already been round the castle once and the kids weren't too keen on going round again while I listened to all the info which was a shame. Apart from that slight tweak needed we had a fab day and another EH property ticked off the list!

Old Wardour Castle is a little out of the way. In fact, even with sat nav we got a little lost, and it felt like we were heading into the middle of nowhere. Once we reached the castle, we discovered a romantic jewel of a ruin. Isolated in stunning woodland, opposite a beautiful lake, the castle towers imposingly. The well thought out audio tour takes you through the castle's fortunes, from design, re-design, its glory days, the civil war, and to an 18th century park attraction, complete with a fabricated grotto. The grounds would make a lovely picnic spot. And mentioning food, ensure you eat before you go, or take your own food. Because of its isolated setting there is no food available, and only a very small English Heritage shop. Worth a visit if you can, because of the unusual hexaganol design, and spectacular location.

This out of the way castle may not be the most historically interesting place, but both the teenager and the middle sized child enjoyed exploring this ruin. Went late on a bank holiday Sunday and there were only a dozen others there. Excellent guide book helps you understand the original layout and uses of the rooms. Admission was reasonable. This would be a wonderful spot for a picnic. Also nice was the archery set and chess set for children, though playing hide and seek in the castle was what they are still talking about.

Certainly a good half day visit.Not the easiest place to access but worth the trouble.Not really enough signage around the site so buying the guide book is probably a good idea.Toilets are located down a very steep flight of steps,should consider relocating them although there is a disabled toilet elsewhere on the site.

we stopped here en route to Taunton, it was far better than we expected. Great that you can take dogs in as long as they are kept on a lead, we never heard of this castle before, it was used in many films including Robin Hood.there are tables inside near the ticket office, so it is possible to take a picnic too.They also hold weddings at this venue, a great setting with the lake there too