Chillingham Castle
It sells itself as one of the most haunted castles in Britain and has a torture chamber, which is catnip for ghoulish nine year olds and possibly nightmare fuel for a nervous five year old. Know your audience.
The short answer
Chillingham Castle is in Chillingham (NE66 5NJ). It's privately owned and a paid attraction. Historic Houses lists the 2026 season as 30 March to 1 November, gates 11am to 5pm, last admission 4pm, then closed from 2 November until Easter 2027. Tickets: Historic Houses lists adult £14, concession (65 and over) £13, child (under 16) £8, family (2 adults and 3 children) £38, garden only £7. There's enough under a roof for a wet day.
What you actually see
Edward I stayed here in 1298 on his way to Scotland, and in 1344 Edward III granted a licence to crenellate that turned it into a fortified four-sided castle. It was the seat of the Greys and later the Earls of Tankerville until Sir Humphry Wakefield bought it in 1982 and began restoring it.
Known for: Ghosts (the Blue Boy) and Most Haunted; also the film Elizabeth.
Tips before you go
Don't count on a sit-down lunch while the tea room is shut. The rare wild white Chillingham cattle live in the park here, which is worth knowing if you have an animal-mad child.
Where Chillingham Castle is
Chillingham, NE66 5NJ. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
Castles near Chillingham Castle
Preston Tower
7.6 miles east as the crow flies · Chathill · Paid entry
Bamburgh Castle
9.5 miles north-east as the crow flies · Bamburgh · Paid entry
Ford Castle
10 miles north-west as the crow flies · Ford · Outside only · Free
The Craster Arms, Beadnell
11 miles east as the crow flies · Beadnell · Stay or eat here
Edlingham Castle
11 miles south as the crow flies · Edlingham · Free to wander · Free
Alnwick Castle
11 miles south-east as the crow flies · Alnwick · Paid entry
All 39 castles on the map · Things to do in Wooler, Rothbury and the Cheviots
Events at Chillingham Castle
- Nothing listed at Chillingham Castle in The Northumbrian Almanac right now. It is refreshed every week.
Our guides that include Chillingham Castle
Questions people ask about Chillingham Castle
How much does it cost to visit Chillingham Castle?
Historic Houses lists adult £14, concession (65 and over) £13, child (under 16) £8, family (2 adults and 3 children) £38, garden only £7. The castle's own site doesn't publish prices, so check. Free for Historic Houses members.
When is Chillingham Castle open?
Historic Houses lists the 2026 season as 30 March to 1 November, gates 11am to 5pm, last admission 4pm, then closed from 2 November until Easter 2027. The castle's own site just says Easter to the end of October; check before you go.
Is Chillingham Castle good for kids?
It sells itself as one of the most haunted castles in Britain and has a torture chamber, which is catnip for ghoulish nine year olds and possibly nightmare fuel for a nervous five year old. Know your audience. Time needed: about 2 hours.
Is there parking at Chillingham Castle?
Free, signposted, with disabled parking next to the castle.
Can you take a pushchair to Chillingham Castle?
No. Uneven floors and steep spiral staircases, so leave the pushchair in the car.
Are dogs allowed at Chillingham Castle?
No, guide and assistance dogs only, in the castle and the grounds.
Is there a café at Chillingham Castle?
The tea room is closed until further notice; drinks and a smaller food selection to take away from the Summerhouse.
Are there toilets at Chillingham Castle?
Yes, but up spiral stone steps with a rope handrail.
Is Chillingham Castle worth visiting on a rainy day?
Yes, there's enough under a roof to make it a decent wet-day option.
What is Chillingham Castle famous for?
Ghosts (the Blue Boy) and Most Haunted; also the film Elizabeth.
Sources
All the castles
39 castles on a map
Open the map and filters →For the bairns
The printable passport
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