Chiddingstone Castle,

The history of Chiddingstone Castle can be traced back to the early 16th century. The castle has undergone a number of architectural updates and has been lived in by a wide variety of people.

The early timber-framed Tudor house, inhabited by the Streatfeild family, was first replaced and partly transformed into High Street House in the 1670s. The building was transformed again during the early 19th century when the then owner, Henry Streatfeild, decided to renovate the house to look like a medieval castle and commissioned William Atkinson to design the changes.

Atkinson’s plans were never completed, due to lack of funds, and the castle’s transformation was partially finished according to a design by Henry Kendall in the 1830s.

The Streatfeild's did not occupy the castle after 1900 and finally sold it to Lord Astor in 1938. The castle served as a base for military forces during the Second World War, and then as school until 1954.

An exhibition on the history of Chiddingstone Castle explores the different aspects of the castle’s eventful past. The exhibition covers the architectural changes of the castle and its surroundings, life at the castle and the use of the castle for educational purposes by the Long Dene School.

There is a gift shop and Victorian teas room at the castle, open to visitors. Anglers can buy permits to fish in the lake in the grounds.

(Photographs courtesy of Trish & Chris Seymour).

Opening Times

The Castle, Tea Rooms and Gift Shop
April to October inclusive.

Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
11am to 5pm (Last entry 4.15pm)

The Gardens and Grounds are open throughout the year. During November and early December the Tea Rooms and Gift Shop will be open on Fridays and Sundays only. Please note entry to the Tea Rooms and Gift Shop does not require entry to the Castle.

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Ticket Prices

Adults £7.00
Children under 5 FREE*
Children 5 to 13 £4.00
Families(2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children)£19.50
Adult Group per person (15+) unguided £6.00
Adult Season Ticket £20.00
Family Season Ticket (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) £48.50
Parking £2.50

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Disabled Facilities

As all Denys Bower’s collections are sited on the ground floor at Chiddingstone Castle, they are easily accessible for wheelchairs.

Car parking is available very close to the North Door and a spacious disabled washroom is sited in the Tom Close courtyard.

All principal entrances and exits can be fitted with wheelchair access facilities.

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More Information

Telephone: 01892 870 347

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