The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
4.3 / 5 · 457 reviews FREE ENTRY

Ludgershall Castle and Cross

Wiltshire, England


Ludgershall Castle and Cross
Ludgershall Castle and Cross, further view Ludgershall Castle and Cross, further view

Key facts

Operator
English Heritage
Condition
Ruin
Access
Free, open access

Pinpoint

Castle St, Ludgershall, Andover SP11 9QT

Telephone 0370 333 1181

Possible Opening hours

Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Ludgershall's ruins are traced by reviewers to an 11th-century castle built for the Sheriff of Wiltshire, later extended by King John as a hunting lodge on the edge of Salisbury Plain. It's unstaffed and quiet - visitors regularly find themselves nearly alone among the earthworks.

Worth the trip

The Norman earthworks and the walk around them, easy going at under a mile and well signed with information boards telling the royal history.

Before you go

Parking is limited at the site itself, but there's a layby off the main road and space in the village centre for a short walk in.

WHAT VISITORS SAY · 4.3 / 5 across 457 Google reviews

Reviewers consistently describe this as a small, quiet, easy-to-reach ruin - only a few sections of wall survive alongside earthworks - free to visit with helpful information boards covering its royal history. Several note it's a relatively little-visited site, which adds to its appeal for those seeking a peaceful stop, and parking is limited but adequate.

“Fascinating history, some reuse of Roman tiles set into the walls. A less visited gem.”— Karl Waltho, visitor review

Further reading

Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain cover book
Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain

Marc Morris

Find it on Amazon
The Norman Conquest cover book
The Norman Conquest

Marc Morris

Find it on Amazon