The castle gardens and grounds will re-open 13th February 2021.
We've lived about a ten-minute drive from
Herstmonceux castle for over seven years and had never yet visited it. We've been talking about going for quite some time and finally, in early October 2020 my husband and I
headed over there and I am so glad we did, as it is lovely. Just as nice as many National Trust sites I've visited before and a good price too.
We paid £7 per adult to visit the gardens and grounds, and it would have been
£17.50 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Normally you can have a tour
of the castle, which is used as a study centre for the Queen's University in
Canada, but not at the moment during the pandemic. It didn't matter though as
there are 300 acres to explore and in nice weather, you could spend a number
of hours here.
An Amazing Slice of History
Herstmonceux castle really is a beautiful example of a moated castle. It started to be built in 1441 to replace the original manor house that stood here. On completion, it was the largest private home in the country. It was
lived in as a private dwelling for the next 300 odd years and started to fall
into disrepair. It was remodelled in 1776 and then parts of the castle became
a ruin, until 1911 when a new owner started a restoration project, which was
finally completed in 1932.
After use by an insurance company during the war and then the Royal
Observatory for over 30 years, in 1993 it was bought by Dr Alfred Bader who
gifted it to the Queens University Ontario in Canada and they still own and
maintain the castle until this day. Using many parts of it as the Bader
International Study Centre.
You can find out about this history and so much more in the Visitor Centre and
they have literature you can take away with you too.
Fun for all the Family
There is a rope maze for the kids to run around in, and we were able to pick
up a family quiz and activity sheet, where we could find answers to some
interesting questions, work out an anagram and tick off animals/ birds that we
had spotted in the grounds. But what I find kids always love best somewhere
like this is just using their imagination and running free.
I liked the suit of armour (sporting his mask) that you are encouraged to have
a selfie with and as it is outside, you don't have to be masked up
yourself.
Different Garden areas to Explore
Once you go through the castle, you'll arrive in the formal gardens - the
Elizabethan garden, the Sundial and Rose garden, Shakespear garden and the
Apothecary garden. There is also a lovely sculpture walk with pieces from
Zimbabwe.
Then beyond the formal garden are lots more themed areas, which are much more casual in design - a magic garden, shady garden, orchard, nuttery,
aviary, Peters garden and more. You can check out all the different garden areas, here.
In total there is around 300 acres of woodland and managed gardens and it is really nice to explore and see the differences within the estate. My
husband and I really liked the private rear garden of the folley, as you can
sit there and chat, or enjoy the view over the lake.
In Spring I imagine the woodland will be beautiful with bluebells, I often see the hints of them as I drive past. When we visited in October we managed to
collect loads of magnificent sweet chestnuts and had a fabulous roasting session when we got home.
Useful Information
Address - The Gardens & Grounds of Herstmonceux Castle
Wartling Road Entrance
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 1RN. Use the road signs to enter the castle grounds from the Wartling Riad entrance, as a Sat Nav using the postcode could send you to the wrong place.
Telephone - 01323 833816
Website - https://herstmonceux-castle.com/
Chestnut tea room - This is normally open but hasn't been this season.
When we visited there was an outdoor horsebox cafe with some outside seating.
We didn't use it as the offering was just basic.
Dogs - Are welcome in the grounds and gardens on a lead but please use
the dog waste bins provided.
Accessibility - The main garden areas are accessible by wheelchair and there is allocated parking close to the entrance. Carers are admitted free of
charge.
We can't wait to visit Herstmonceux Castle again next year. I'd definitely say
it is one to add to your bucket list for 2021 and even if we still have social
distancing and measures to help stop the spread of Covid-19 it will still be a
good visit, I'm sure, as you are outdoors and exploring in the fresh
air.
Why not pin this post for later?
