Wardour Castle Castle
Medieval English castle ruins with historic fortifications
Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire is a 14th‑century ruined manor with a surrounding moat and Tudor‑era alterations; visitors come for guided tours, photography and riverside walks.
Wardour Castle at a Glance#
About Wardour Castle#
Old Wardour Castle is a late 14th-century stone castle ruin in Wiltshire, England, notable for its unusual circular plan and medieval masonry. The site is part of a larger historic estate that includes an adjacent 18th-century house.
The castle was built in the late 14th century and belonged to the Lovell family and later the Arundells; it was besieged and partially slighted during the English Civil War in the 1640s and subsequently fell into ruin. The later 18th-century house was constructed by the estate owners as the principal residence.
The castle and estate lie in south-western England in Wiltshire near the village of Tisbury, set within parkland and agricultural countryside and reachable by local roads from nearby market towns.
- Construction and Civil War damage: Old Wardour Castle dates from around 1392 and was besieged and partly destroyed during the English Civil War in the 1640s; the ruins are now managed for public access, with information panels on site.
What to See#
- Old Wardour Castle: Old Wardour Castle is a circular-plan medieval castle ruin dating from the late 14th century, with surviving curtain walls, towers, and an inner courtyard that illustrate its original fortified layout.
- New Wardour House and estate: New Wardour House is an 18th-century country house built nearby on the Wardour estate; the house and designed landscape lie adjacent to the medieval ruins and together form part of the historic estate.
How to Get to Wardour Castle#
Old Wardour Castle is managed by English Heritage and lies near Tisbury in Wiltshire. It is accessible by car via minor country lanes off the A30/A350 corridor; public transport requires local buses and a walk from nearby villages.
Tips for Visiting Wardour Castle#
- Arrive before mid-afternoon to avoid the late-day shadowing that flattens photos of the ruin.
- The nearby village of Tisbury and the broader Wiltshire tourism offices provide local maps and parking options.
- Watch for fragile masonry and fenced-off zones; parts of the structure are conservation-managed.
Best Time to Visit Wardour Castle#
Best visited spring through early autumn for the mildest weather and access to grounds; check English Heritage for seasonal hours.
Weather & Climate near Wardour Castle#
Wardour Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 1°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (837 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 93 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 65 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 68 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 54 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 55 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 58 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 47 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 60 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 72 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 82 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 86 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 97 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |