Castle · Ruin

Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • No car park on site
Berkhamsted Castle: An Audience at Berkhamsted Castle
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Berkhamsted Castle is a ruined castle near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Entry is free. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is no car park on site.

Berkhamsted Castle opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 Not listed
  2. Tue 13 Not listed
  3. Wed 14 Not listed
  4. Today Thu 15 Not listed
  5. Fri 16 Not listed
  6. Sat 17 Not listed
  7. Sun 18 Not listed
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Winter 26 Oct to 16 Mar
Daily
10:00 to 16:00
 n/a

Closed on 25 Dec, 1 Jan.

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Berkhamsted Castle and parking

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Directions to Berkhamsted Castle View on a map
Parking
No car park on site, paid. Charged public parking not managed by EH Railway station or town centre car parks; very limited on-street parking on White Hill
By train
Berkhamsted is 0.1 miles away.
Public transport
Arriva The Shires 354 and Little Jim's 532 pass the castle; Berkhamsted station adjacent

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Leads: dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • Open-air ruin; no buildings to enter

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Gravel main path suitable for buggies and wheelchairs; steps up earthworks and motte

What to see at Berkhamsted Castle

  • 01

    Moat

    A ditch, wet or dry, around the walls.

  • 02

    Curtain wall

    The outer defensive wall around the site.

History of Berkhamsted Castle

  1. 1066 William the Conqueror receives English submission here after Hastings
  2. c.1070 Robert of Mortain builds timber motte-and-bailey castle
  3. 1155 Thomas Becket granted the honour and rebuilds the castle
  4. 1216 Two-week siege by Prince Louis of France; castle surrenders

Photos

Castles near Berkhamsted Castle

All 120 castles in England

FAQs

Where do you park at Berkhamsted Castle?

There is no car park on site. Railway station or town centre car parks; very limited on-street parking on White Hill.

When is Berkhamsted Castle open?

In the british summer time (to end oct) season it opens every day from 10:00 to 18:00. Check the opening times above for the other seasons and closed dates.

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 15 Oct 2026
  2. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  3. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  5. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

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