Thirlestane Castle
BEST FOR
Ages 0-5
ENTRY
from £16.50
WHERE
Lauder
What it’s like
A guided tour through 400 years of history, a small playground for under-fives, and afternoon tea in a Victorian kitchen.
The main event here is the guided tour, about an hour and fifteen minutes, led round the castle with stories from its 400-year history. It's not a wander-round-yourself job, you go with a guide, and you'll want to book ahead because the castle only opens for tours from 20 April to 18 October 2026. Outside that window you can still get in with a private guided tour if you're organised enough to arrange it.
For the under-fives there's a small adventure playground, which is a nice touch given the rest of the visit is fairly grown-up in pace. High chairs and travel cots are on hand too, so a baby in tow isn't a problem. An hour and a quarter of guided tour is a fair ask of a toddler though, and this is really built for the calmer end of small children rather than a four-year-old wanting to run about the state rooms.
Tours start from £16.50, and if you want to push the boat out there's an afternoon tea and tour combo at £38.50 for 2026, savoury and sweet treats served in the Victorian Kitchen with catering from the local Lauder bakery. That's a proper treat-day price rather than a casual visit one. Private tours run £25 and there are gift vouchers from £10 if you fancy giving the visit as a present.
Access is worth knowing about before you go. The main entrance has 33 steps and there's no lift, though the lower ground and ground floors do have step-free access since the castle's built into a hill, and level access from the rear is available if you ask. The first floor is only reachable by a steep spiral staircase or a run of 24 shallow steps, so a buggy won't be going up there. Parking is about 260m from the entrance, with a couple of accessible bays closer in on a gravel surface. Dogs are welcome on the lead in the grounds, and there are woodland walks on the estate if the tour leaves everyone wanting more fresh air.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Babies and under-fives, with the playground built for that age
- Parking
- Ample on-site parking approximately 260m from main entrance
- How long to allow
- Guided tour normally takes around 1 hour 15 minutes
- Food
- Tea room and Victorian Kitchen serving afternoon tea with savoury and sweet treats
- Wheelchairs
- Level access to lower ground and ground floors
- Dogs
- Welcome. Keep on lead in grounds
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bus No51 from Edinburgh to Lauder (hourly, ~1hr 10min)
- Book ahead, the castle is guided-tour only, no self-guided wandering
- The tour season runs April to October; outside that you'd need a private tour
- Accessible parking bays are gravel, not tarmac
- The first floor has no lift, just a spiral staircase or 24 steps
- Dog biscuits and bowls are provided if you bring the family dog
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Guided tours start from £16.50. The afternoon tea and tour package is £38.50 for 2026, and private tours are £25.
Do we need to book?
Yes, the castle is only open for guided tours, so you need to book ahead rather than turn up and wander in.
When is the castle open?
Guided tours and the grounds run from Monday 20 April to Sunday 18 October 2026. Outside that, private guided tours can be arranged year round subject to availability.
How long does a visit take?
The guided tour itself normally runs around an hour and fifteen minutes.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
There's a small adventure playground aimed at under-fives, plus high chairs and travel cots. An hour-plus tour is a long stretch for a very young toddler though.
Is there anywhere for babies?
Baby change facilities are on both the lower ground and ground floors.
What food is available?
There's a tea room and the Victorian Kitchen does afternoon tea, with catering from a bakery in Lauder.
Is the castle wheelchair accessible?
The lower ground and ground floors have step-free access since the castle sits on a hill. The first floor only has stairs, either a steep spiral staircase or 24 shallow steps, and the main entrance has 33 steps with no lift.
Where do we park?
There's ample parking around 260m from the entrance. Accessible bays are closer, about 30m away, but sit on a gravel surface.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome on the lead in the grounds, and there are biscuits and water bowls provided.
Can we do private or group tours outside the main season?
Private guided tours can be arranged any time of year subject to availability, and group tours for 10 or more people run throughout the year too.
Is there a playground?
There's a small adventure playground suitable for children under 5.
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