CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Glasgow
Glasgow does castles properly close to home. Provand's Lordship, the city's oldest house, sits right in the centre and costs nothing to visit. Out at Provan Hall there's a medieval house and walled garden with weekend crafts and a nature trail, also free. For something further, Bothwell Castle has red sandstone towers above the Clyde, though the main tower and great hall are shut for conservation just now. For toddlers, the free sites with outdoor space work best, Provan Hall or a longer trip out to Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock, where the courtyard is a good walk from the car park. Older kids get more from Bothwell's grounds or Dumbarton Castle, a volcanic rock stronghold with a Viking sword fragment and forty steps to the view, from £4.50. If you fancy a proper stay, Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow lets kids under eight sleep free and you can wander the bar and library after hours.
12 places 2 upcoming events 4 free to visit
What's on: castles, historic houses & heritage
Places for castles, historic houses & heritage
Bannockburn House
Stirling
Guided tours of a historic house mid-conservation, plus garden tours and the odd living history event on weekends.
Blue badge parkingBooking requiredGift shopGroup bookings
from £2.50Bothwell Castle
Glasgow · ages 7-15
Red sandstone ruin on the Clyde with towers, grounds and woodland walks, though the main tower and great hall are shut for conservation.
Dog friendlyGift shopParkingPicnic area+3 more
Craufurdland Castle
Kilmarnock
A castle estate where kids try high ropes, archery, bushcraft, mud runs and fishing in one visit.
Crossbasket Castle, Hotel & Restaurant, an SLH Hotel
Glasgow · up to age 13
A castle stay near Glasgow where kids under 8 sleep free and you can explore the public rooms, bar and library.
Dog friendlyFree parkingFood on siteRestaurant+3 more
FreeDean Castle Country Park
Kilmarnock
Free castle rooms to poke about in and a country park to wander, with a 400m walk from car to courtyard to soften you up first.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+8 more
from £6Doune Castle
Doune
A proper stone castle to explore room by room with a free audio guide on your own phone.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+6 more
from £4.50Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton
A volcanic rock stronghold guarding the Clyde, with a genuine Viking sword fragment and 40 steps to earn the view.
Bike parkingCaféGift shopParking+3 more
from £25Hunterston Castle
West Kilbride
A small-group guided tour round a genuinely old tower house, with the walled garden thrown in.
Booking requiredParking
FreeKelburn Castle and Estate
Largs
A woodland glen estate near Largs with a secret forest, a playbarn and animal fields to explore.
CaféDog friendlyGift shopIndoor play+2 more
FreeProvan Hall
Glasgow
Free entry to a medieval house and walled garden, with weekend crafts and a nature trail to keep kids busy outdoors.
Gift shopFood on sitePicnics allowed
FreeProvand's Lordship
Glasgow
Free Provand's Lordship - Glasgow's oldest house Soft Play N.
Baby changeParkingWheelchair accessible
from £25Rough Castle Experiences
Falkirk · ages 8+
A woodland light trail at the Falkirk Wheel with a funfair, Santa's grotto and marshmallows over the fire, plus Segway and axe-throwing sessions for older kids.
Blue badge parkingBooking requiredDog friendlyFree parking+5 more
Good to know: castles, historic houses & heritage in Glasgow
Are any of them free?
Yes, Dean Castle Country Park, Kelburn Castle and Estate, Provan Hall and Provand's Lordship are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £2.50 at Bothwell Castle. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Doune Castle and Provand's Lordship are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find castles, historic houses & heritage in Stirling, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Doune, Dumbarton and 3 more. Every place we list is in or around Glasgow, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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