Walmer Castle and Gardens


Explore over eight acres of beautiful award-winning gardens and a Tudor fortress-turned-country house right beside the sea.

Walmer Castle and Gardens is an Attraction. Area Deal

Where

Kingsdown Road
Walmer
Deal
CT14 7LJ

What3words location

impulsive.friend.veered

Useful info

  • Available: Accessible toilet/s
  • Available: Baby changing
  • Available: Blue badge/ accessible parking bay/s
  • Available: Coach parties welcome
  • Available: Family-friendly
  • Available: Food and drink on site
  • Available: On-site parking (charges may apply)
  • Available: Season ticket/membership available
  • Available: Visitor toilet/s
  • Available: Green tourism award or accreditation
  • Available: Nature-positive initiatives
  • Not available: Dog-friendly

Admission

Admission fees

Contact

Built in 1540 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences, centuries of domestic refinements have transformed Walmer Castle from a fortress to an elegant stately home with beautiful gardens, now owned and managed by English Heritage. It is the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and has been home to an incredible range of people, including Winston Churchill and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Walmer was one of the ‘three castles in the Downs’: Deal Castle, which is within walking distance - there's a pleasant beachfront walking and cycle path, and the remains of Sandown Castle, largely destroyed by coastal erosion and now a volunteer-run community garden.

Inside Walmer Castle

Discover stories and secrets from the castle's past and see some remarkable objects, including a pair of original Wellington boots. Explore the private rooms of the Lord Warden, where the Queen Mother used to stay during her visits. See the Duke of Wellington's former bedroom - he spent 23 years at Walmer Castle and the room looks just like it did when he lived here.

Please note that parts of the castle are closed in preparation for important conservation work.

The Gardens

Explore the magnificent, award-winning gardens including the glen, the yew-lined broadwalk, the productive kitchen garden (where there is often produce for sale), wildflower meadows and shady woodland. There's also a play trail through the woods which children will love.

Relax in the tranquil Queen Mother's Garden, created by Penelope Hobhouse for Her Majesty’s 95th birthday. 

The gardens are home to a National Collection of snowdrops and tetrapanax, and there is an annual cacti fair in June.  

Don't miss:

  • the kitchen garden and Glasshouse Café
  • the family play trail 
  • the Lord Warden's Apartment and the Duke of Wellington's room
  • Tudor Tours - daily at 11am and 2pm (eight places offered on each tour)
  • Garden History Tours on Wednesdays at 2.30pm and Wildlife Walks (most Thursdays at 11.30am).

Food & drink 

An always changing seasonal menu of snacks, lunches and home-made cakes makes the Lord Warden's Tearoom a perfect place to recharge, while the Glasshouse Café offers sandwiches, snacks and cream teas in the the kitchen garden. An ice-cream parlour is open on the Bastion in the summer months so you can enjoy an ice cream and the amazing views.

Events

There is a packed and varied events programme throughout the year with regular workshops, clubs and one-off events, including the International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition this autumn (see below). 

There is also a Wellbeing at Walmer programme, offering a wide range of therapeutic wellbeing activities including yoga, tai chi, qigong, a book club and an art club. 

Accessibility

English Heritage has a Gold Accessibility Champion onsite, awarded by Accessible UK, who can help with any pre-visit planning or questions you may have about the site - please contact them via email (see 'Contact' information). The lower floor of the house, the tearooms and most of the gardens are accessible.

Sustainability

The team here is working hard to become more sustainable by reducing energy and water consumption, promoting recycling and waste reduction, using environmentally friendly products and engaging the local community in sustainable practices. The castle was recently awarded a Gold Green Tourism Award.

Holiday cottages

Stay in the grounds of Walmer Castle and enjoy the peace and tranquillity all to yourself once the visitors have gone home. The Greenhouse Apartment and Garden Cottage are both two-bedroom holiday cottages that each sleep four.