Farleigh Hungerford Castle

What it’s like

A moated ruin where kids follow a World Builder trail, climb the towers and hear about the castle's lead coffins.

This one's a proper ruin rather than a polished stately home, and that's half the fun. Kids get a World Builder trail to follow round the grounds, there are book boxes dotted about for the ones who'd rather sit and read than run, and the Priests' House has an audio tour with displays that go into more depth than you'd expect for a small site. The chapel's in there too, along with the story of the lead coffins, which is the sort of grim detail that sticks with a ten-year-old for weeks.

Touring the towers is the bit to save for last if you've got a child who likes climbing things with a view at the top. It's open daily, 10 till 5, with last entry at half four, so you've got a decent stretch of the day to get round it without feeling rushed.

You don't have to book ahead, you can just turn up and pay on arrival. But booking online by midnight the night before saves you 15 percent, which feels like an odd hoop to jump through for a castle visit but it's free money if you plan that far ahead. Under-fives go in free if you grab an infant ticket, and English Heritage members can bring up to six children with them at no extra cost, which makes it a properly cheap day out if you've already got membership.

Need to know

Best for

Good for school-age kids keen on climbing towers and grim history

Last entry

4:30pm

Booking

Book advance tickets online by midnight the day before to save 15%

Worth knowing

Up to six children go free with every adult English Heritage member

• Booking by phone isn't an option, it's online only.
• Students need an NUS card on them to get the concession price, same for over-65s needing proof of age.
• The 15% advance discount only applies if you book by midnight the night before your visit.

Plan your visit

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