National Trust - Castle Drogo
ENTRY
from £8.55
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Granite castle on a gorge edge with river trails, garden paths and steep drops to explore, plus a rare roof tour if volunteers are on duty.
This is Lutyens' last castle, perched above the Teign Gorge, and the setting does a lot of the work. Kids can loose themselves in miles of garden paths and river trails, hunt out the Bunty House tucked in the garden, and tick off "50 things to do before you're 11¾" activities that the Trust dots around. School holidays bring their own trails, so it's worth timing a visit for one if you can.
Inside, the castle itself is worth the build-up, though the stairs beyond the Entrance Hall and Library have no handrails, which is a faff with a wobbly toddler in tow. Roof tours run when volunteers and weather allow, and that's the bit to save for last if it's on, since it's not guaranteed. Hip-carrying infant seats are available to borrow in the house, which is a thoughtful touch if you've got a baby who wants carrying rather than pushing.
Entry is £18 for an adult and £9 for a child, or £45 for a family of two adults and up to three kids, which stacks up if you're coming as a full crew. The café does light lunches and snacks with a kids' menu, and there are benches in the Orchard and near the Visitor Centre if you'd rather bring your own picnic. Parking is £4 for four hours or £7.50 all day unless you're a member or Blue Badge holder, and it's genuinely limited, so arriving early on a busy day saves the annoyance of being turned away.
The paths are uneven in places with steep gravel stretches, and phone signal drops out on site. A buggy shuttle service usually runs when the castle's open, which helps with the 800 yard uphill walk from where the bus drops you if you're coming without a car.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 30 minutes before advertised closing time (main season 4pm, off season 3pm for castle)
- Parking
- £4 for 4 hours or £7.50 all day for non-members
- Food
- Castle Drogo café with hot and cold drinks, light lunches and snacks
- Picnics
- Benches available in Orchard and near Visitor Centre and car park
- Pushchairs
- Buggy/pushchair friendly routes around garden
- Wheelchairs
- Available at visitor reception and in castle
- Dogs
- On leads welcome except in café, circular lawn and castle
- Getting there by bus or train
- Stagecoach bus 173 from Exeter City Centre (roughly 1 hour, Mon-Sat), drops at bottom of drive
- Phone signal is poor on site, so sort plans before you arrive
- Gravel paths get steep and uneven in places, so factor that in with buggies or unsteady walkers
- Hip-carrying infant seats can be borrowed inside the castle
- The car park is genuinely limited on busy days, so an early start helps
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£18 for an adult, £9 for a child aged 5 to 17, or £45 for a family of two adults and up to three kids.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can just turn up.
What's parking like?
£4 for four hours or £7.50 all day for non-members, free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders. Spaces are limited and you may be asked to come back later if it's full.
Is it OK for a toddler or in a pushchair?
Garden paths are pushchair friendly and a buggy shuttle usually runs when the castle's open. Inside the castle, stairs beyond the Entrance Hall and Library have no handrails, so keep a close hand on little ones there.
What's there for kids to do?
River trails through the Teign Gorge, the Bunty House in the garden, and 'before you're 11¾' activity trails. School holidays bring extra kids' trails too.
Can we go up on the roof?
Roof tours run subject to volunteers being on duty and the weather cooperating, so it's not something to bank on for every visit.
What time is last entry?
Last entry to the castle is 30 minutes before closing, which is 4pm in main season and 3pm off season. The café closes on the same 30 minute rule.
Is there food on site?
The café serves hot and cold drinks, light lunches and snacks, with a kids' menu. There's a small second-hand bookshop tucked into the café too.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs on leads are welcome around the site, just not in the café, on the circular lawn or inside the castle. Assistance dogs can go anywhere.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
There's step-free access via tarmac and gravel paths, wheelchairs to borrow at reception, and tramper mobility vehicles available if you book ahead by phone or email.
How do we get there without a car?
The Stagecoach 173 bus runs from Exeter city centre, roughly an hour's journey, Monday to Saturday, dropping you at the bottom of the drive with an 800 yard uphill walk to the Visitor Centre.
Can big vehicles get there?
Coaches and motorhomes over 10.5 metres long or 2.39 metres wide aren't recommended, as the approach roads are narrow.
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