Description
Rockingham Castle is home to the Saunders Watson family, whose ancestors have made their lives here for the last 450 years, following the sale of the Castle by James I in 1619 to Sir Lewis Watson.
Built on the instructions of William the Conqueror between 1066 – 1071, Rockingham Castle has sat resplendent on an escarpment dominating the Welland Valley for almost a millennium. Today, the Castle offers a glimpse of life through the ages from the routine of the Servants’ Hall and Old Kitchen to the Victorian splendour of the Long Gallery.
Rockingham Castle’s grounds and Formal Gardens are no less of a journey through time. The layout of gardens dates from the 17th century, following the restoration of the Castle gardens after the English Civil Wars. Emulating the Norman keep, the circular Rose Garden was laid by Sir Anthony Salvin in the mid-nineteenth century and corresponds with his design of the Flag Tower in 1836. 2025 promises to be a spectacular season for the Rose Garden, as our David Austen Roses Partnership Garden is set to come into bloom. For the more adventurous, the Wild Garden offers unrestrained beauty and the chance to be at one with nature; perhaps hinting at its previous iteration as a Victorian pleasure garden.
Just as centuries ago, the thrills and spills of the medieval joust are to be found again this summer on the Tilting Lawn. Journey through time to 1643 and witness a Civil War skirmish on the Tilting Lawn; will Sir Lewis Watson keep the Parliamentarians at bay?
Whether you are looking for a day of family fun, historic intrigue and adventure, or a day of tranquillity in the gardens and grounds, Rockingham Castle’s open days and special events offer something for everyone.
Refreshments can be found in Walker’s House tearoom, which offers a delicious range of freshly prepared food and homemade cakes.
Rockingham Castle opens for the 2025 season:
13 April – 26 May – Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
1 June – 30 September – Tuesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
Gardens and grounds admission: 11am – 4pm
Castle admission: 11.30am – 3.30pm (last entry)
For further information:
www.rockinghamcastle.com
@rockinghamcastleofficial
Opening Times
13 April – 26 May – Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
1 June – 30 September – Tuesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
Gardens and grounds admission: 11am – 4pm
Castle admission: 11.30am – 3.30pm (last entry)
Price List
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12.00 to £18.50 |
| Children (4-16 years) | £6.00 to £11.00 |
| Family ticket (2 adults up to3 children) - | £30.00 to £48.00 |
| Senior citizen (65+) | £11.50 to £17.00 |
| Student | £11.50 to £17.00 |
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