Things to see and do at Walmer Castle and Gardens
Find out what you can look forward to at Walmer Castle and Gardens. Below you'll find out the highlights of your trip, from the fine castle interior to the glorious gardens.
Explore the Lord Warden's Apartment
Explore the private rooms of the Lord Warden and see where the Queen Mother stayed during her visits to Walmer Castle.
Added during the tenure of Lord Granville, the rooms were originally used by the children, governess and servants. The space was made into an apartment during the tenure of Sir Robert Menzies (Lord Warden 1966-1978) so the main part of the castle could stay open to the public while he was in residence. The Apartment has since welcomed the two more Lord Wardens; Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Admiral of the Fleet Lord Michael Boyce.
Now you can tour this private space within Walmer Castle and discover stories of the families who lived here.
The Lord Warden’s Apartment can only be accessed via a tight spiral staircase. Queues to enter the apartment may occur during busy times. Read more accessibility information here.
Visit the atmospheric Wellington Room
Feel the Duke of Wellington's spirit living on in his former bedroom at Walmer Castle. You can see the armchair in which he died and his campaign bed in this room.
The Duke of Wellington spent 23 years at Walmer Castle and the room looks just like it did when he lived here. The room is refurbished and conserved, taking inspiration from an early painting – the decor is an authentic replica from this time.
See highlights from the collection at Walmer Castle.
Discover the glorious gardens
There are extensive gardens to explore at Walmer Castle. We’ve restored parts of the gardens which were inaccessible for more than a century, including the stunning chalk quarry Glen Garden.
It’s reached by the winding Woodland Walk, set with secret surprises and amazing, creative play spaces for children.
Nearer the house, you’ll find the formal Broadwalk, flanked by the famous Cloud Hedges; the tranquil Queen Mother’s Garden, created to honour her 95th birthday; and the fully working Kitchen Garden, whose flowers, vegetables and fruit you can admire from – and sample in – the Glasshouse Café.
Enjoy a tasty treat
Enjoy a tasty treat in the Lord Warden's tearoom within the walls of the castle itself, or in the Glasshouse Café, located by the gorgeous Kitchen Garden.
Choose from a seasonal menu of snacks, lunches and home-made cakes. Read more about Walmer’s two cafés here.
If you’re looking for a souvenir of your trip to Walmer, you can find a range of fun English Heritage gifts in the shop. You can browse guidebooks, toys, jewellery and snacks and drinks. There’s also a plant stall within the castle walls. And bookworms will love exploring the secondhand bookshop down in the castle’s basement. Thank you! Every cuppa, book, snack or plant you buy goes towards looking after England’s heritage.
Tudor Tours at Walmer Castle
There are both Garden Tours and Tudor Tours on offer at Walmer Castle
Garden History Tours take place every Wednesday at 2pm. The tour, led by a knowledgeable guide, takes an hour, and is included in the admission fee. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tudor Tours take place daily, and explore the extensive surviving Tudor parts of Walmer Castle, including the atmospheric ‘rounds’ beneath the site. The tour lasts an hour and a half, and is included in the admission fee. The eight tour places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early.
Take part in wellbeing activities
At Walmer Castle and Gardens, we offer a wide range of wellbeing activities to suit all ages and abilities. You can take part in yoga, meditation, Shinrin Yoku, and mindful walking, among many other activities in Walmer’s wonderful gardens.
The idea of the English seaside promoting good health is not new. In the mid-18th century, Walmer Castle became a comfortable and secluded retreat for its Lords Warden, while retaining its role as a fort. William Pitt the Younger, former prime minister and warden, delighted in the calm of Walmer.
Through Wellbeing at Walmer, we hope to share the restorative peace and beauty of the gardens, as experienced by Pitt more than 200 years ago, to everyone.
Walk or cycle to Deal Castle
If you have time why not take a walk or cycle along the seafront to Deal and Sandown Castles?
Like Walmer, Deal and Sandown Castles were built by order of Henry VIII. They form part of the chain of 'device' coastal forts built locally, including Camber Castle and Sandgate.
Download our walking mapEnrol in an RHS Course
Walmer Castle and Gardens is proud to be an RHS Approved Centre, offering RHS Level 2 qualifications in Practical Horticulture and the Principles of Plant Growth and Development.
Our students can gain industry-recognised qualifications in the unique surroundings of Walmer Castle's Grade II-listed gardens, with additional lessons taking place in the historic Captain's Garden at Deal Castle.
Our courses are incredibly popular. Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about new opportunities by emailing RHS.Walmer@english-heritage.org.uk.