Tamworth Castle
Staffordshire, England
Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Tamworth Borough Council
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Tamworth, 0.6 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Norman motte with intact shell keep
Pinpoint
Holloway, Tamworth B79 7NA
Telephone 01827 709626
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
One of the best-preserved Norman motte-and-bailey castles in England, with an intact shell keep and over 900 years of continuous history layered into its rooms and battlements. A small display drawn from the Staffordshire Hoard - the Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found nearby in 2009 - is one of the more unexpected things inside.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The Staffordshire Hoard display - reviewers repeatedly call it out as worth seeing even though it's a small part of the overall castle.
Before you go
The tea room is small with a limited menu, so don't plan a full meal around it; reviewers say the site is big enough and spread out enough to fill a couple of hours comfortably, and are consistently surprised it isn't busier.
What visitors say
Tamworth Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 2,138 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the well-preserved, interactive rooms spanning multiple historical eras and the exhibition featuring Staffordshire Hoard items, describing it as good value for a family visit of around two hours.
The only mild caveat raised is that the on-site tea room is fairly small with a limited selection.
“This castle was very good and very interactive! Fun with family and friends. Great view, great photos. Overall it’s very nice! Hope you check it out :D”- yark0z, visitor review
Within reach of Birmingham (13 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
12th century
Built as a royal motte-and-bailey after the Norman Conquest, Tamworth Castle became a significant administrative centre in medieval England. The site holds 900 years of continuous occupation on what was once a major royal seat during the Anglo-Saxon period. Today it displays artefacts from the nearby Staffordshire Hoard, linking the castle to the region's pre-Norman gold heritage.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Common questions about Tamworth Castle
Where is Tamworth Castle?
Tamworth Castle is in Staffordshire, England, at Holloway, Tamworth B79 7NA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Tamworth Castle?
Yes - Tamworth Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Tamworth Borough Council. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Tamworth Castle?
The Staffordshire Hoard display - reviewers repeatedly call it out as worth seeing even though it's a small part of the overall castle.
Is Tamworth Castle a ruin or still intact?
Tamworth Castle is largely intact - Norman motte with intact shell keep.
