Castle · Ruin

Donnington Castle

Newbury, Berkshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • Parking on site, free for members
  • English Heritage
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Photo: Mik Peach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Donnington Castle is a ruined castle near Newbury, Berkshire, managed by English Heritage. Entry is free and the site is open at any reasonable time. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds but not inside. There is a members' car park on site.

Getting to Donnington Castle and parking

Plan your route

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Directions to Donnington Castle View on a map
Parking
Car park on site, free for members. £2 for non-members, payable by text; free for members with valid EH car sticker; open 7am-7pm
By train
Newbury is 1.7 miles away.
Public transport
Newbury & District 4, 6, 6A, 107 and Go-Ride 5, 5A; Newbury station 1 1/4 miles.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Dogs

Partly
  • Welcome: in the grounds.
  • Not allowed: inside the buildings.
  • Leads: dogs must be kept on a lead.
  • Page says 'Dogs on leads are welcome' without saying inside buildings; ruin, lesser value chosen.

Accessibility

  • Paths and surfaces: Fairly steep gravelled path uphill from car park; uneven grassy area

Food and facilities

  • Guided tours Yes

What to see at Donnington Castle

  • 01

    Gatehouse

    The fortified main entrance.

  • 02

    Curtain wall

    The outer defensive wall around the site.

History of Donnington Castle

  1. 1287 Thomas Abberbury buys the manor of Donnington
  2. 1386 Sir Richard Abberbury granted licence to crenellate
  3. 1399 Death of Sir Richard Abberbury; castle probably built by then
  4. 1503 Taken into royal control
  5. 1646 After a 20-month Civil War siege, most of the castle is demolished

Photos

Castles near Donnington Castle

All 120 castles in England

FAQs

Where do you park at Donnington Castle?

There is a members' car park on site.

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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