Dalton Castle
Cumbria, England
Photo: Kevin Waterhouse, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0 ยท David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Dalton, 0.3 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- 14th-century pele tower; open Saturday afternoons in season
Pinpoint
Market Place, Dalton-in-Furness LA15 8AX
Telephone 01524 701178
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 5 October - 29 November | Castle closed |
| 30 November - 20 December | Mon - Fri: Closed Sat: 13:00 - 15:00 Sun: Closed |
Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Access
- Stepped access throughout with narrow doorways; reaching the first floor involves 18 steps.
- Facilities
- One toilet on the ground floor, reached by two steps up and two down; no cafe or shop on site.
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only are permitted inside.
A 14th-century pele tower built as a defence against Scottish border raids, later serving as courthouse and prison for Furness Abbey before passing to the National Trust in 1965. It's small - a handful of rooms rather than a full castle circuit - and only open on Saturday afternoons in season.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The building's working past as a courthouse and prison - the National Trust guides bring out this later history well, beyond the medieval defensive story.
Before you go
It only opens Saturday afternoons during the season and street parking nearby can be tricky to find, so plan around both before making a special trip.
What visitors say
Dalton Castle reviews · 4.1 / 5 across 104 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy Dalton Castle's small but characterful interior and friendly, welcoming National Trust guides, though several note it's only open on limited days, mainly weekends in summer, so checking opening times in advance is recommended.
Street parking and a narrow historic spiral staircase mean it isn't well suited to wheelchairs or prams.
“Lovely little place. Only open on special days. Very helpful staff with lots of information. Only a few rooms that can be accessed but very original. Parking is just on the street, so can be tricky.”- Kat P, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
Entrance to the building is by three stone steps up to the front door, and access to the first floor is up 18 steps with a handrail on the left side only. Narrow doorways and corridors with limited turning space throughout. The ground-floor museum room is reachable without the stairs, but the single toilet is entered via two steps up and two steps down. Chairs without armrests are available. A ful
Taken from National Trust’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.
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
- “Free entry and parking (lots available dotted up and down the road) National trust run and the guides were really welcoming and told us lots about the place.” - Joanne Riley
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Year old spiral staircase so not suitable for wheelchairs and prams but if like us you're prepared to carry small ones it's fine!” - Joanne Riley
- Facilities
- “Small gift shop, no other amenities and one way system includes a 800+?” - Joanne Riley
Common questions about Dalton Castle
Where is Dalton Castle?
Dalton Castle is in Cumbria, England, at Market Place, Dalton-in-Furness LA15 8AX.
How do you visit Dalton Castle?
Dalton Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by National Trust. Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Dalton Castle?
The building's working past as a courthouse and prison - the National Trust guides bring out this later history well, beyond the medieval defensive story.
Is Dalton Castle a ruin or still intact?
Dalton Castle is largely intact - 14th-century pele tower; open Saturday afternoons in season.
