Penrhyn Castle
Gwynedd, Wales
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Bangor (Gwynedd), 1.7 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Bangor LL57 4HT
Telephone 01248 353084
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free parking about 500 yards from the castle, with accessible spaces near the Welcome Centre and a 4.22m height restriction at the drive entrance.
- Access
- Accessible toilets are near the Welcome Centre and by the castle; assistance dogs only are permitted inside the castle.
- Facilities
- On-site cafe, seasonal kiosk, bookshop, shop and a picnic area near the castle.
- Dogs
- Dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens and cafe; assistance dogs only inside the castle.
A Victorian country house built to look like a Norman castle rather than one that ever needed to defend anything - the Pennant family raised it in the 1800s on fortune from the Welsh slate industry, and National Trust interpretation doesn't shy from that history's harder side alongside the architecture. The grounds are the real draw as much as the house: extensive gardens, a walled garden reviewers rate among the best they've seen, and views back to Snowdonia.
Worth the trip
The walled garden - reviewers repeatedly single it out as one of the finest they've visited.
Before you go
The house isn't always open (check before travelling if that's the priority), but the gardens and grounds make for a full visit on their own, even on a day when it's shut.
Reviewers consistently describe Penrhyn Castle as a grand, imposing property with lavish interiors and a genuinely interesting connection to the local slate industry, and several single out the gardens and grounds as a highlight in their own right. A couple of visitors found parts of the house or garden closed for renovation work during their visit, which was a minor disappointment, but even those who couldn't get inside still felt the grounds alone made for a worthwhile visit.
19th-century neo-Norman castle
“Lovely walk around. Would like to visit again when more of the house is open. Gardens are an easy walk, not long at all. Walled garden is probably one of the most beautiful in my experience, but a lot was still being…”- Carly Hayward, 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
- “Parking was straightforward and staff were friendly and welcoming.” - Justin Marley
- How long to allow
- “There is a café and a shop, so it is easy to spend a few hours here.” - Przemyslaw Kowalski
Common questions about Penrhyn Castle
Where is Penrhyn Castle?
Penrhyn Castle is in Gwynedd, Wales, at Bangor LL57 4HT.
Do you need a ticket to visit Penrhyn Castle?
Yes - Penrhyn Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Penrhyn Castle?
The walled garden - reviewers repeatedly single it out as one of the finest they've visited.
Is Penrhyn Castle a ruin or still intact?
Penrhyn Castle is largely intact - 19th-century neo-Norman castle.
