Tattershall Castle
Lincolnshire, England
Photo: BoraSimon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Chris, 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
- Metheringham, 8.6 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Restored 15th-century brick great tower
Pinpoint
Sleaford Rd, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LR
Telephone 01526 342543
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 31 August - 4 October | Mon - Wed: 10:30 - Last entry 3.30pm Thu - Fri: Closed Sat - Sun: 10:30 - Last entry 3.30pm |
| 5 October - 25 October | Mon - Tue: Closed Wed: 10:30 - Last entry 3.30pm Thu - Fri: Closed Sat - Sun: 10:30 - Last entry 3.30pm |
| 2 November - 27 December | Castle closed |
Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Six accessible parking spaces are on the left as you enter the car park, with an accessible drop-off point near visitor reception.
- Access
- The Great Tower's upper floors are reached by a 149-step spiral staircase; underfoot conditions can be uneven and slippery when wet.
- Facilities
- The accessible toilet block is about 80 metres from the site entrance; there are no toilets inside the Great Tower itself.
- Safety
- Aircraft noise from nearby RAF Coningsby's Typhoon squadrons is audible on most weekdays and can be very loud.
A soaring 15th-century brick great tower, one of the earliest and best-surviving examples of medieval brickwork in England, restored and run by the National Trust. It sits near an active air base, so a visit sometimes comes with an unplanned flypast of vintage aircraft overhead.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The brick construction itself - reviewers repeatedly note there's nothing quite like it among England's other castles, most of which are stone.
Before you go
There's a car park close by with toilets between it and the tower, and plenty of grass for a picnic; dogs are welcome on the grounds but not inside the tower itself.
What visitors say
Tattershall Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 2,771 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy Tattershall's unusual red-brick architecture and the views from the top, and several mention good value family tickets and a dog-friendly site.
Multiple visits also happened to coincide with nearby air displays, which added to the day.
One reviewer had a less positive experience, feeling rushed out by staff who began closing up well before the advertised times.
“Great place for everyone to visit. Good exercise if you climb to the roof, well worth it for the views. One child looked in a small room off the main hall and said there's nothing in here. His mum was trying to read the…”- Gill Allen, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
An accessible ramp leads to the ground-floor parlour chamber, but there are 149 steps to the top of the tower and no lift to the upper floors. The drop-off point is roughly 30 metres from visitor reception through a gate that is normally partially closed - phone 01526 342543 or email in advance so it can be opened. An adapted toilet sits next to the ladies toilet at the end of an 80 metre gravel p
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
Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell · 1406-1431
A 15th-century brick tower built by Ralph Cromwell, Treasurer of England, on the site of an earlier 13th-century stone castle. The impressive use of around 700,000 bricks made it one of England's finest examples of medieval brickwork.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
- “THis was a shame as we would like to have had a chance to look around the church next yo the car park.” - Km Bex
- Facilities
- “We were able to take the tour, look around ourselves the have a picnic in the grounds as a nearby air base flew old planes around.” - Km Bex
Common questions about Tattershall Castle
Where is Tattershall Castle?
Tattershall Castle is in Lincolnshire, England, at Sleaford Rd, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LR.
Do you need a ticket to visit Tattershall Castle?
Yes - Tattershall 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.
Is Tattershall Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Tattershall Castle - one reviewer noted: “…ck castles like this in the U.K. it’s a dog friendly site as well although they are not allowed in the main cast…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Tattershall Castle?
The brick construction itself - reviewers repeatedly note there's nothing quite like it among England's other castles, most of which are stone.
Is Tattershall Castle a ruin or still intact?
Tattershall Castle is largely intact - Restored 15th-century brick great tower.
