Deddington Castle
Oxfordshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Kings Sutton, 3.2 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Castle St, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TP
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Access
- Ground is uneven and sloping across the motte and bailey earthworks.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads welcome.
- Safety
- Steep slope and uneven surfaces on site; open fires not permitted.
What's left of a large motte-and-bailey castle first recorded in 1204 is now earthworks and grass - no walls, no masonry, just the shape of the mound and bailey under a field. Reviewers are blunt that this is a walk and a view of ancient earthworks, not a castle in any visible sense.
Worth the trip
The scale of the motte and bailey is still readable in the land itself, if you're the kind of visitor who enjoys reading a landscape rather than seeing standing stone.
Before you go
There are no facilities on site beyond a walking path - the nearest options are the pubs in Deddington town; parking is officially not permitted at the site despite what you might see others doing, so plan to park in the town and walk in.
Reviews here genuinely conflict: some visitors value the earthworks for their historical significance and enjoy the walk, while several others feel there's essentially nothing to see beyond a large field, since no masonry survives above ground. There are no facilities on site besides pubs in the town, and expectations should be set accordingly - this is an earthwork site, not a standing ruin.
Earthworks only
“Nope, it's not a castle. Not even a ruins.”- Doug Williams, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Signs show no parking allowed but people park there anyway.” - Doug Williams
Common questions about Deddington Castle
Where is Deddington Castle?
Deddington Castle is in Oxfordshire, England, at Castle St, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TP.
Is Deddington Castle free to visit?
Yes - Deddington Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Deddington Castle?
The scale of the motte and bailey is still readable in the land itself, if you're the kind of visitor who enjoys reading a landscape rather than seeing standing stone.
Is Deddington Castle a ruin or still intact?
Deddington Castle is a ruin - Earthworks only.
