Visiting Walmer Castle with kids - a fun family day out guide!

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If you’re looking for a great family day out with the kids in Kent, Walmer Castle and Gardens is a fantastic choice – so keep reading my guide/review for all of the details you’ll need. Nestled on the Kent coast, this historic fortress has beautiful gardens, plenty of space to explore and even some fun activities for little ones – I think it’s one of the best English Heritage sites to visit with kids. Whether you’re a history fan, or just fancy a lovely walk in a stunning setting, it’s well worth a visit and the playground areas are perfect for occupying the kids – so here’s everything you need to know before your family adventure at Walmer Castle and Gardens.

Visit: Multiple visits (Updated July 2025)

Where is Walmer Castle?

As I mentioned above, Walmer Castle is in Kent, England, right on the coast near Deal. It’s part of the English Heritage collection so, if you’re a member, you can get in for free and visit as many times as you like. They run family-friendly events throughout the year, like the popular Christmas lights nights (more on that below), so this is definitely a place that you could visit multiple times, and the gardens at Walmer Castle are brilliant for the kids – the site really lends itself to summer visits too. To reach the castle by car, take the M20 motorway and exit at Junction 13. From there, follow the A258 towards Deal and Walmer. The castle is well signposted and the postcode for sat-nav is CT14 7LJ.

Walmer Castle has a car park for visitors, which is located across the road just opposite the entrance. The car park can fill up during peak times, so arriving early is a good idea, especially on weekends or during special events. It’s free to use for English Heritage members, or pay and display if not. If you’re using public transport, the nearest train station is Walmer Station, which is about a 20 minute walk from the castle. Buses also stop near the castle, with routes running from Deal and Dover.

The distance from Walmer Castle to Deal Castle isn’t much at all, so if you have an English Heritage Membership you could also have a castle-hopping adventure. You’ll be pleased to know that Deal Castle is just 1.5 miles away – that’s about a 5 minute drive or a lovely 30 minute walk along the coast, which would be gorgeous over the summer months. Deal Castle is another Henry VIII fortress, and it’s well worth a visit as well. Nearby, Dover Castle is a fantastic place to visit with the kids too – it’s just a 15 minute drive from Walmer Castle, and it’s one of the best castles in the UK for a family day out. Check out my article: Visiting Dover Castle with kids – a fun family day out guide for all the details.

How old is Walmer Castle – when was it built?

Walmer Castle was built in 1539 by King Henry VIII as part of his coastal defences – that makes it nearly 500 years old! It was originally a military fortress but later became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, with famous residents like the Duke of Wellington and even the Queen Mother. The castle isn’t huge so it’s an easy one to explore with little legs, and older children can get stuck in learning about the history. On our previous visits there have been staff members dotted around ready to tell us about the different parts of the castle, which is really helpful. But, our favourite thing about Walmer Castle is definitely the outside space – it really lends itself to family fun and the kids love it!

What is there to do with kids at Walmer Castle and Gardens?

Once you’ve finished exploring the castle and checking out the views over the coast, the garden is where all of the best bits are for the kids. It’s a vast space, which is lovely for a wander and a picnic in the summer time, and there are lots of play areas are dotted around to keep the kids occupied. If you have kids who love climbing, jumping and balancing then they’ll love the woodland play trails! The natural play areas are tucked away in the trees, and it’s a great way for them to burn off some energy while enjoying the fresh air. We love visiting with my niece and nephew as there’s plenty of space for hide and seek and games on the grass too, so the kids are happy to amuse themselves. All you need is a sunny day and a flask of coffee – bliss!

Walmer Castle and Gardens at Christmas

At Christmas time, Walmer Castle transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights, decorations and a magical trail through the gardens – the kids will love the twinkling displays at the Enchanted Walmer event. To get you in the festive spirit, there are often Christmas-themed activities and treats in the café too. The Christmas event does come at an extra cost, but they offer family tickets which will save you money and if you’re an English Heritage member you’ll get in at a discounted rate.

Can dogs go to Walmer Castle?

No, unfortunately Walmer Castle is not a dog-friendly site – access will only be permitted to assistance dogs so you’ll have to leave your furry friend at home for this one.

Opening times for Walmer Castle and Gardens

Walmer Castle is open most of the year, but the hours vary by season – some weeks in the winter you may find it shut on certain weekdays, so check the English Heritage website and use their calendar to plan your visit. Typical opening times seem to be 10am – 6pm in spring and summer, and 10am – 4pm over the winter months. For events, like the Enchanted Walmer Christmas lights, they open later in the evenings.

What facilities are there at Walmer Castle?

There’s loads of space for a picnic on the grass, and plenty of picnic benches dotted around too, so bring a packed lunch and enjoy it in the gardens to make your visit budget-friendly. However, if do you fancy a treat or a break from making sandwiches, the on-site café serves delicious cakes, ice creams and light lunches – we were pleased to see some gluten-free cake options too. There are toilets on offer, as well as a gift shop which my two like to wander around. And, they often offer seasonal trails and family-friendly activities so if you’re visiting Walmer Castle and Gardens during the school holidays see what extras are on offer to entertain the kids.

How much does it cost to visit Walmer Castle – is it good value for money?

Current ticket prices (July 2025) are: Adults: £18.50 / Children (5-17 years): £11.50 / Family Ticket (2 adults, up to 3 kids): £48.50 / Under 5s go free. If you’re an English Heritage member your visit will be completely free, and I think if you’re going to visit multiple times or go to multiple sites throughout the year then an English Heritage Membership will probably offer the best value for money – a family pass is typically around £10 a month. They also frequently have money off deals, so check which offers are available before you sign up, you can get 25% off at the moment with the discount code below! We’re lucky in Kent to have some of the best English Heritage sites on our doorstep so it can be really worthwhile – Dover Castle is also brilliant and they run excellent events throughout the year with things like jousting.

For home-educators, English Heritage allow free entry to their sites for home-educating families, just as they do for school visits. So, if you’re home-educating, you can email them to start an account which you’re then able to book educational visits through – just be sure to give a few weeks notice as they’ll need time to approve the visit and send you an entry permit.

But, back to Walmer Castle and Gardens, it’s a brilliant family day out as they’ve catered well for the kids – you can explore the castle, run around the gardens and enjoy the views. There’s a lovely café, picnic areas and plenty of spots to just relax. Plus, with nearby Deal Castle and the beach, you can easily make a whole day of it. Walmer paddling pool is free and great fun for the little ones too! Have you been to Walmer Castle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Useful Information for your visit:

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/walmer-castle-and-gardens/
Pets: No, assistance dogs only
Parking: Yes
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, picnic areas, gift shop
Address: Kingsdown Road, Walmer, Deal, Kent, CT14 7LJ
For up-to-date opening times and prices, please check their website.