Powis Castle
Powys, Wales
Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Welshpool, 1.0 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Medieval fortress turned grand residence; terraced gardens
Pinpoint
Powis Castle, Welshpool SY21 8RF
Telephone 01938 551944
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 31 August - 1 November | Castle | Castell - Daily 11:00 - 15:30 |
| 2 November - 22 November | Castle | Castell closed |
| 30 November - 20 December | Castle | Castell - Daily 11:00 - 15:30 |
The last ticket sold to the castle is 2.50pm to ensure visitors have enough time to walk up to the castle. Last entry through the castle door at 3.00pm. Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free on-site parking, or a pay-and-display council car park on Berriew Street in town for those who prefer to walk up through the estate.
- Access
- Step-free route around the garden but with steep slopes and unfenced terraces; no step-free access into the castle or Clive Museum.
- Facilities
- On-site bookshop, courtyard cafe, seasonal garden coffee shop (April-September), plant shop, shop and toilets with baby changing.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed in the garden on short leads from 1 November-28 February and on trial 6 June-31 October 2026; assistance dogs welcome year-round; no dogs in the wider estate.
- Safety
- Terraces have unguarded drops and uneven surfaces such as gravel and cobbles, so children must be supervised.
A medieval border fortress absorbed and softened over centuries into a grand family residence, best known now for its dramatic Italianate terraced gardens cut into the hillside below the castle. Both castle and gardens draw large weekend crowds, so reviewers recommend timing a visit for quieter hours if you can.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The terraced gardens - among the finest formal gardens in Britain, and reviewers rate them as highly as the castle itself.
Before you go
At around £37 for two adults it's pricier than most sites in this list, and terraces occasionally close early for private events like weddings, so a weekday visit is worth considering if crowds or closures are a concern.
What visitors say
Powis Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 8,226 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise both the castle's richly decorated interiors and the extensive, immaculately kept gardens, with knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides mentioned as a highlight.
Several visitors note that photography is not permitted inside the castle, which a few found disappointing, and that the site can get busy and somewhat pricier than other comparable attractions.
Even so, the overall verdict across reviews is strongly favourable, with many visitors planning return trips to see the gardens in different seasons.
“A lovely castle and gardens well worth a visit. A bit more pricey than some others at £37 for two adults. Nice terrace gardens and grounds. Usual slightly pricey gift shop, bookshop, cafe etc. Day we went there was a…”- Darren Cope, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
Blue Badge parking and a drop-off point; accessible toilets outside the garden entrance and in the Formal Garden. There is a step-free route around the garden, but with steep slopes and unfenced terraces. There is no step-free access to the castle or the Clive Museum. Wheelchairs are available and transfer assistance is offered; induction loop provided. Surfaces vary and include gravel, cobbles, r
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.
History
Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn · 13th century
Unlike contemporary English-built border fortresses, Powis Castle was constructed by the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn in the 13th century as the seat of the kingdom of Powys. After the English conquest of Wales, the Herbert family acquired it in the late 16th century and transformed it from a fortress into a grand country house with celebrated terraced gardens.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Montgomery Castle is only 6.0 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Montgomery Castle →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
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
- “The grounds make a very grand entrance in (look out for the herds of deer) as you make your way to the parking area.” - Rich C
- How long to allow
- “I spent a little under three hours here and enjoyed every minute.” - Justin Marley
- Terrain & accessibility
- “A fair few steps to gardens and in castle.” - Darren Cope
- Facilities
- “On a sunny Saturday perhaps there are too many visitors, but the gardens are large with many attractive features, and lawns for children to play, and to spread out a picnic.” - Steve Brooke
Common questions about Powis Castle
Where is Powis Castle?
Powis Castle is in Powys, Wales, at Powis Castle, Welshpool SY21 8RF.
Do you need a ticket to visit Powis Castle?
Yes - Powis 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 Powis Castle?
The terraced gardens - among the finest formal gardens in Britain, and reviewers rate them as highly as the castle itself.
Is Powis Castle a ruin or still intact?
Powis Castle is largely intact - Medieval fortress turned grand residence; terraced gardens.
