Donnington Castle
Berkshire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Newbury, 1.7 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Donnington Castle Farm Cottage, Castle Ln, Donnington, Newbury RG14 2LE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- On-site car park costs 2 pounds for non-members, payable by text, open 7am to 7pm.
- Facilities
- No facilities on site; shops, cafes and restaurants are in Newbury, 2 miles away.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- Smoking, vaping, barbecues and naked flames are not permitted.
The twin-towered gatehouse is the only substantial survivor of a manor-house castle held for the King through repeated sieges in the Civil War - the rest of the site is earthworks rather than walls. English Heritage keeps it free and unstaffed, with information boards filling in the history, and reviewers rate the view from the top highly.
Worth the trip
The gatehouse itself - two drum towers still standing to nearly full height, a rare survival on an otherwise earthwork site.
Before you go
Reviewers flag it as a steep climb not well suited to wheelchair users or limited mobility, though parking is free and close to the entrance.
Reviewers consistently highlight the steep uphill walk to reach the ruins, with several calling the views from the top spectacular and well worth the climb. The intact gatehouse and English Heritage information boards are praised for bringing the site's civil war history to life. A couple of visitors note the climb makes the site unsuitable for those with mobility issues, though parking near the entrance is described as convenient.
Twin-towered gatehouse survives amid earthworks
“Delightful castle outside Newbury. Has connections with the historic village of Harwell through the Black Prince. Go on a nice day and enjoy the scenery.”- Anthony Langrish, 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
- “No purchase of tickets but asked to pay for parking via application.” - de omm
Common questions about Donnington Castle
Where is Donnington Castle?
Donnington Castle is in Berkshire, England, at Donnington Castle Farm Cottage, Castle Ln, Donnington, Newbury RG14 2LE.
Is Donnington Castle free to visit?
Yes - Donnington 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 Donnington Castle?
The gatehouse itself - two drum towers still standing to nearly full height, a rare survival on an otherwise earthwork site.
Is Donnington Castle a ruin or still intact?
Donnington Castle is a partial ruin - Twin-towered gatehouse survives amid earthworks.
