Brougham Castle
Cumbria, England
Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Dr John Wells, CC BY 4.0 ยท Michael D Beckwith from England, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Penrith North Lakes, 1.7 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Moor Ln, Penrith CA10 2AA
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- No parking on site, but free parking is available on the roadside.
- Access
- Level access through the shop and grounds and the ground floor of the keep; the keep's spiral staircase to the top has no lift.
A 13th-century castle in a striking position beside the River Eamont, with English Heritage staff reviewers repeatedly single out by name for going beyond the basics on local history. You can climb up inside parts of the building for views over the water.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The riverside setting - the castle sits right against the Eamont, and reviewers say it's the position as much as the stonework that makes it worth the stop.
Before you go
Land either side of the castle is private property, so stick to the marked route through the fencing; there's a free car park and toilets on site, a short walk from the gift shop.
What visitors say
Brougham Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 1,351 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the friendly, knowledgeable English Heritage staff and volunteers at Brougham Castle, along with its riverside setting and the views from climbing inside the ruins.
No significant complaints appear in the available reviews, even one visitor who encountered poor weather still recommended the visit.
“Lovely castle full of history. The volunteers that run it were superb and very helpful. The weather was awful but that did not detract from the visit. I would highly recommend going.”- Andy Ritchie, visitor review
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Level access through shop and grounds; ground floor only of Keep. Wheelchair loan, accessible toilets, handrails. Free roadside parking. Induction loops, Braille guides. Assistance dogs welcome. No lift, steep spiral staircase to top, some low-lit areas, rough grass hazards. No audio or BSL tours.
Taken from English Heritage’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Robert de Vieuxpont
Robert de Vieuxpont founded this fortress around 1214 on a strategically defensible site near a Roman fort, initially building a stone keep with timber-palisaded earthworks. The Clifford family inherited it through marriage in 1269 and significantly strengthened its defences with stone walls and a double gatehouse under Robert Clifford, 1st Baron, a trusted lieutenant of Edward I. Lady Anne Clifford undertook restoration after inheriting in 1643. The castle declined into ruin when her successor found maintenance too costly in the 1700s. English Heritage now preserves the remains.
Drawn from English Heritage's own page.
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.
- Facilities
- “Toilet on site, lovely staff members, and a few benches to eat lunch on.” - Richard Young
Common questions about Brougham Castle
Where is Brougham Castle?
Brougham Castle is in Cumbria, England, at Moor Ln, Penrith CA10 2AA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Brougham Castle?
Yes - Brougham Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Brougham Castle?
The riverside setting - the castle sits right against the Eamont, and reviewers say it's the position as much as the stonework that makes it worth the stop.
Is Brougham Castle a ruin or still intact?
Brougham Castle is a partial ruin.
